In the Beginning - Introduction to Archaeology

Brian M. Fagan begins with a summary history of the subject, overviewing the objectives and processes of archaeological research and the basic principles of culture, context, and dating methods. He describes how archaeologists find, excavate, and analyze sites, artifacts, and food remains, reinforcing complex material throughout with diverse examples. The book examines some of the major theoretical approaches to archaeological interpretation and shows how archaeologists use such techniques as ethnographic analogy, middle range theory, and controlled experimentation to interpret the past. The closing chapters summarize major theoretical debates and advances as well as discuss the role of archaeology in the modern world. The ninth edition places new emphasis on remote sensing techniques for archaeological survey, addresses the study of gender and ethnic diversity from the archaeological record, and assesses the importance of archaeology in the modern world. Comprehensively illustrated, the book contains a guide to further reading and a glossary of major archaeological sites mentioned in the text.