Illustrated Practical Encyclopedia of Archaeology: The Key Sites, Those Who Discovered Them, and How to Become an Archaeologist

A professional field guide and practical companion to archaeology, packed with information to take the keen amateur or student archaeologist from beginner to advanced levelFeatures how-to photographic sequences of field surveys and step-by-step excavations, plus guidance on handling and recording finds and dating artifactsExplores a wide range of the world's most important archaeological sites, spanning every period from early humans through to recent timesIncludes fascinating profiles of some of the world's most famous and respected archaeologists, such as J.F. Champollion, decoder of the Rosetta Stone, and Howard Carter, discoverer of Tutankhamen's tombGives advice on how to get involved in local research projects, restoration initiatives and actual excavations in the fieldAuthoritative but highly accessible text, written by leading international specialists and fully illustrated with over 1100 color photographsRediscovering the past through archaeological finds is a deeply satisfying and culturally important process. This book is the ultimate resource for the amateur, student or volunteer archaeologist as well as a fascinating reference guide for those interested in the world's greatest archaeological finds and those who discovered themThe opening section explores the many specialized fields of archaeology, from forensics applied to burial sites through to the deciphering of ancient languages. The techniques involved in conducting an excavation are unraveled stage by stage, from the initial surface sampling of a site to the post-excavation practicesThe book then looks in detail at the people who have been responsible for many of the discoveries in world archaeology. This section includes profiles of archaeological pioneers such as Heinrich Schliemann, the excavator of Troy, and Howard Carter, the discoverer of Tutankhamen's tomb, and progresses to modern archaeologists such as Maria Reiche, who explored Peru's Nasca Lines, and Kathleen Kenyon, who made important excavations at JerichoThe final section explores the world's greatest archaeological discoveries. The journey begins in Africa, covering sites from the Blombos Cave in South Africa to the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Following this comes the Middle East, with important sites such as Persepolis and Petra. The chapter on the Mediterranean explores Olympia and Pompeii among others, while European sites include Lascaux, Stonehenge and the Heuneburg. The tour continues in the Far East, with China's Terracotta Army and Angkor in Cambodia, and proceeds to sites in Oceania such as Easter Island. Finally the journey brings us to the many important ancient sites in the Americas, including the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan in Mexico and the Viking settlement of L'Anse aux Meadows in NewfoundlandIllustrated with over 1100 photographs and maps, this comprehensive handbook is a must for any budding archaeologist. It will show how all the pieces of the archaeological jigsaw fit together to make up an ever-changing picture of human history, and inspire the enthusiast to build on their fascination with the past and develop a field of interest or even a fully-fledged career