Archaeology : the essential guide to our human past / general editor: Paul Bahn ; foreword by Brian Fagan.

Includes index.

"Epic in scope, yet filled with detail, this illustrated guide takes readers through the whole of our human past. Spanning the dawn of human civilization through the present, it provides a tour of every site of key archaeological importance. From the prehistoric cave paintings of Lascaux to Tutankhamun's tomb to the buried city of Pompeii to China's Terracotta Army, all of the world's most iconic sites and discoveries are here. So too are more obscure but equally groundbreaking finds, such as the recent discovery of our most distant human ancestors and the uncovering of Gobekli Tepe in Turkey, the world's oldest known temple. A masterful combination of succinct analysis and driving narrative, this book also addresses the questions that inevitably arise as we gradually learn more about the history of our species. Written by an international team of archaeological experts and richly illustrated with more than 1,000 images, Archaeology: The Essential Guide to Our Human Past offers an unparalleled insight into the origins of humankind"-- Provided by publisher.