Archaeology is Rubbish. A Beginner's Guide - Hardcover

Robinson, Tony; Aston, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0752265199 ISBN 13: 9780752265193

Publisher: Macmillan Distribution Ltd, 2002

Synopsis

This new offering from the Time Team duo of Robinson and Aston brings another entertaining and light-hearted book to our shelves. `This is the story of a fantasy dig readers undertake in their back gardens to find out what bits of rubbish are buried there'. What starts out as a small hole grows into a full-scale excavation involving mechanical diggers, and reveals the remains of a Roman villa under a proposed supermarket. In amongst this story, the authors answer many of the frequently asked questions about archaeology and archaeologists, about the history of the discipline and about how a dig works. Robinson and Aston are entertaining and amusing as always.

About this title

From the Publisher

This is a manual for those who want to know how the task of archaeology is undertaken, but it's also a history of the subject. In addition it answers the questions archaeologists are most frequently asked. But above all, it's entertainment. The authors hope it will encourage those with an interest in digging, but equally it should amuise and engage those whose archaeological ambitions are limited to turning the pages of this book. It is the story of a fantasy dig the readers undertake in their back garden. They begin by digging a small hole in their lawn. This gradually gets bigger until they are compelled to destroy their garden shed. Eventually they come down on the remains of a Roman villa. Their trench then extends into their neighbour's back garden, and ultimately over their back wall into the site of a proposed supermarket. What began as a piece of keyhole archaeology is, by the end of the book, a massive site complete with mechanical diggers and dumper trucks. Intervening chapters highlight various aspects of the dig to tell the history of the discipline of archaeology from the earliest looters of pyramids to the present day. Later chapters explore modern archaeological techniques like geophysics, DNA testing, osteo-archaeology, tree-dating and environmental technology.

About the Author

Tony Robinson is already of national renown. Through Time Team he has become firmly established as an entertaining authority and a trusted resource on historical and archaeological matters. The book will carry Tony's distinctive and enthralling mode of expression, making it both original and enlightening. Mick Aston is a well-respected archaeologist who has been a pivotal and charismatic member of the Time Team gang since its inception.

Edition details

• Publisher: Macmillan Distribution Ltd
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0752265199
• ISBN 13: 9780752265193
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 216