Larousse encyclopedia of archaeology

"[This book] surveys the whole world, not only the Near East and Greece and Rome, but also Europe, the Americas, and the Far East. . .The first part of the book, Archaeology at Work, defines and explores the field of archaeology. It discusses the survival of ancient relics, and reveals how sites for exploration can be located even when only the most tenuous evidence for their existence is available. Surveying, excavation, identification, attribution, dating, restoration, publication, and exhibition of discoveries--the authors explain these processes by which the great civilizations of the past as well as seemingly insignificant fragments of artifacts can be made to yield their secrets. The second part of the book, The Recovery of the Past, is devoted to the cultures and civilizations of former times, to the great cities, impressive monuments, gorgeous palaces, and fantastic tombs, concealed by the earth, ashes, or jungle, waiting through the centuries for a Schliemann, a Champollion, or a John Lloyd Stephens, or for the patient efforts of a dedicated research group, to bring them to light. Some 640 illustrations in color and monochrome illumine the pages of this work."… (more)