Product Description

This concise, readable, well-illustrated introduction to methods of excavation describes a technique that is essential for almost all kinds of archaeology. It is aimed at professional and amateur archaeologists, at students at all levels and at everyone who wants to know how archaeological evidence is discovered. John Collis's book presents new ideas on excavation techniques and challenges traditional approaches to site organization and recording. He uses his 40 years of excavation experience to recommend practical solutions to procedural and interpretive problems, and he considers the impact of computerization and other technical innovations. But he also recalls the history and development of archaeological excavation which provides a background to the methods employed today. He looks in detail at the selection and preparation of archaeological sites, and at the removal, storage and analysis of finds in their context. The best approaches to the excavation of wooden and stone buildings are described, and a chapter is devoted to the treatment of burials and skeletal remains. Diagrams illustrate the techniques involved and the book includes a fascinating selection of photographs showing excavations in progress in Britain, Europe and America. This practical, common-sense guide should find a place on the bookshelf of everyone who practises archaeology on a professional or amateur basis, and it will be illuminating reading for anyone who wants to understand how archaeologists can recover the past by digging in the soil.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #340587 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

About the Author
John Collis is professor of archaeology at the University of Sheffield. He is an expert on the European Iron Age and he has gained a remarkable reputation as an archaeological excavator over the last 40 years.

Customer Reviews

The best starting point for anyone new to archaeology
IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR THE BEST INTRODUCTORY GUIDE TO PRACTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY AVAILABLE THEN START HERE!. John Collis has produced the most rounded and accessible text on the subject to date. As a professional field archaeologist i recommend all novices read a copy of this book if they are genuinely serious about starting any kind of career in archaeology. At first glance this book may not look as flash or technical as other well known books on the subject but will prove a damned sight more relevant to anyone who finds them selves excavating on a an archaeological site. The basic building blocks of archaeological methods are all here divided into logical chapters, which summarise the key concepts rather than swamping the reader in unfamiliar jargon. If every Site Assistant that walked onto my sites had a copy of this book sticking out of their tool bag i would be a very happy bunny.