Archaeology-the study of man’s past by means of his material remains and traces -is an absorbing study that has captivated not only the professional and amateur, but also the general public. And yet this activity, which today employs the most exacting techniques, was once the province of the dilettante and the treasure seeker. This book describes the evolution of archaeology, examines the great discoveries which have revolutionised our concept of man’s development, and shows how seemingly insignificant fragments of the past can be made to yield their secrets.