Archaeological Investigation - Hardcover

Carver, Martin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0415489180 ISBN 13: 9780415489188

Publisher: Routledge, 2009

Synopsis

Drawing its numerous examples from Britain and beyond, Archaeological Investigation explores the procedures used in field archaeology travelling over the whole process from discovery to publication.

Divided into four parts, it argues for a set of principles in part one, describes work in the field in part two and how to write up in part three. Part four describes the modern world in which all types of archaeologist operate, academic and professional. The central chapter ‘Projects Galore’ takes the reader on a whirlwind tour through different kinds of investigation including in caves, gravel quarries, towns, historic buildings and underwater.

Archaeological Investigation intends to be a companion for a newcomer to professional archaeology – from a student introduction (part one), to first practical work (part two) to the first responsibilities for producing reports (part three) and, in part four, to the tasks of project design and heritage curation that provide the meat and drink of the fully fledged professional.

The book also proposes new ways of doing things, tried out over the author’s thirty years in the field and brought together here for the first time. This is no plodding manual but an inspiring, provocative, informative and entertaining book, urging that archaeological investigation is one of the most important things society does.

About this title

Review:

'Accessible, comprehensive and interesting – a bible for field archaeologists.' – Claire Smith, President, World Archaeological Congress

'Written by one of our finest excavators, distilling a lifetime's experience. Comprehensive yet provocative, it's a "must read" for both student and professional alike.' – Graeme Barker, Director of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, UK

'This is the best book in the English language for fifty years or more on the practice of field archaeology.' – Richard Hodges, Director of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, USA

'Highly recommended.' – Choice

'Let's not beat around the bush, this is quite simply a terrific book, and is now the primer for matters of archaeological technique and methodology.' – British Archaeology Magazine

'With this book, Carver points a clear way through the system, doing much to help us all be more fully-rounded archaeologists.' – www.diggingthedirt.com

Synopsis:

The process of archaeological investigation is a complex and lengthy one. This book guides readers through the whole progression, from the first idea to the communication of the outcomes to the sponsors and the public. It is divided into three parts. The first part lays out the principles to be followed; the second part the fieldwork and the third part the outcomes, reviewing the way in which the information gathered in the field is processed for prosperity.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0415489180
• ISBN 13: 9780415489188
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 480