We humans have always possessed a deep curiosity about our origins and past. Indeed, as far back as 600 B.C. a Babylonian king excavated a temple floor laid 3,200 years before his time. Archaeology, to paraphrase Colin Renfrew, is a history of self-discovery, and for that reason it holds attraction for all peoples and all cultures. The Cambridge Illustrated History of Archaeology exploits our fascination with our past. It tells the story of those explorations that have helped shape our knowledge of history--from early digging in Greece and the Near East through the unearthing of sites in Europe to the archaeological finds of the Americas, Africa, and Australasia. It chronicles the development of archaeology from the crude fumblings of early antiquaries to the sophisticated digs of the present day. The team of experts under the guidance of Paul Bahn attempts to strike a balance between spectacular discoveries, such as the tomb of Tutankhamen, and the equally important progress of ideas. At the same time, they describe the often colorful roles of leading characters and set them against the social background of their times. It is hoped that many present and future general readers and amateur archaeologists will uncover much of interest in this book. Paul Bahn is the author of many books about archaeology, including The Bluffer's Guide to Archaeology (1989) and Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice (with Colin Renfrew, 1991). Read Less