The Mediterranean

School Library Journal

Gr 5-9-Two volumes that have been abridged from Wilkinson and Ingpen's more in-depth Encyclopedia of Mysterious Places (Studio, 1990). Each title focuses on 10 sites, the ruins of which have greatly intrigued and informed archaeologists and historians. Master Builders includes ruins found in Europe and in North, South, and Central America. Mediterranean is limited to classical sites in and around Greece. Each chapter, averaging eight pages in length, describes what has been learned about the vanished civilization from studying such constructions as the Anasazi pueblos at Chaco Canyon or the palace at Knossos. Globes and inset maps orient readers spatially, while timelines organize the information chronologically. Drawings reconstruct probable original configurations. Conjecture and questions guide the discussions concerning the ancient inhabitants, as well as the possible reasons for their demise. Brief sketches of archaeologists such as Hiram Bingham (Machu Picchu) and Heinrich Schliemann (Mycenae) are included. Both books will be useful for reports, of interest to browsers, and will serve as springboards for further research.-Nancy E. Curran, Decatur Public Schools, IL