The Archaeology Handbook: A Field Manual and Resource Guide

by Bill McMillon

Overview

Written expressly for amateur archaeologists and archaeological volunteers to help them discover how they can become part of this increasingly popular field. Covers subjects ranging from excavation techniques, tools, site locations, archaeological methods, archaeology and the law to conducting your own dig. Besides providing extensive data on gaining experience as volunteers of professionally organized digs, it offers an extensive resource section that includes archaeology organizations, field schools and sites, archaeological musems and a bibliography of reading matter which deals with archaeology. A large variety of line-drawings and photographs also assist the would-be archaeologist.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471530510
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	09/03/1991
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.93(w) x 9.13(h) x 0.65(d)

About the Author

Bill McMillon is the author of The Archaeology Handbook: A Field Manual and Resource Guide, published by Wiley.

Table of Contents

What Is Archaeology?.

What Do Archaeologists Do?.

ON A DIG.

Before You Get to an Excavation.

Eating, Sleeping, and Working.

Locating a Site.

Preparation of a Site.

Control Pits and Soil Profiles.

Excavating the Site.

Excavation Problems.

Excavation Features.

Artifacts.

Recording an Excavation.

In the Laboratory.

Writing the Final Site Report.

WORKING ON YOUR OWN.

The Lure of the Excavation.

Following Laws and Regulations.

Beginning an Archaeological Survey.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES.

The What's, Where's, and How-To's of ArchaeologicalActivities.

Travel Agencies.

Museums.

Archaeological Sites.

Excavations.

Field Schools.

Organizations that Assist with Placement of Volunteers.

State Archaeologists and State Historic PreservationOfficers.

Canadian Provincial Archaeological Units.

Governmental Agencies Outside the United States and Canada.

Archaeological Organizations.

Suggested Reading.

Index.

Editorial Reviews

With the publication of this book, there is now an easy answer to requests for a quick introduction to archaeology, how it is done, and how to become involved. Although McMillon is a bit preachy at times about the need for beginners to hitch up with professionally conceived and run projects, the present intense degree of looting and illegal antiquities trading makes the message timely. The book introduces the novice to the methods and standards of field archaeology in a clear, concise, and accurate manner. It also effectively provides a vehicle for the layperson to go beyond the popular media and into the real world of archaeology by devoting nearly half the book to lists of such resources as museums, agencies, magazines, and field schools. This is a work of broad appeal that should meet the expectations of people of diverse ages and backgrounds.-- William S. Dancey, Ohio State Univ., Columbus

Library Journal