Digging to the Past: Excavations in Ancient Lands

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Exploring the lifestyles of ancient peoples requires the talents of a variety of professionals, from trained archeologists and physical scientists, to artists and photographers. In this ambitious book, Hackwell takes his readers on an actual dig in the Middle East, beginning with the early, conceptual stages, detailing the surveying and excavation of the site, and concluding with a discussion of the processing and cataloguing of the finds. Though Hackwell's fine illustrations add warmth and a sense of reality to the text, much of the writing is overly technical. There are some fascinating glimpses into ancient history, but the writing style is perhaps too dry and formal for the book to be of general interest, though it has appeal for budding archeologists. (8-12)

School Library Journal

Gr 5-10 More than serendipitous discovery of treasure, modern archaeology is an advanced science with its own precise methodology and objectives. Hackwell explains the functions of the three specialized teams on a typical expedition in the Middle East. He makes clear the fact that archaeology involves slow and painstaking work designed to preserve the existing environment, and he explains how everyday finds, such as pottery shards, reveal the most about a civilization. Attractive, meticulously detailed watercolor illustrations with captions enhance the clear, insightful text. Technical terms are defined within the text. Hand this to anyone dreaming of a career in archaeology or planning to join a summer dig.Marguerite F. Raybould, Glendale Public Library, Calif.