Attempting to tell the story of world archaeology within 240 pages sounds "improbably" ambitious. A book based on 100 discoveries spanning five centuries has to random, even in its selection. However from an Irish point it has its merits in that it reiterates the importance of developing an archaeological overview. Arranged according to continent including North America, the book focuses on cave art, burial sites and tombs. Although the entries are general, at times little more than introductory pieces, the book does serve to contextualise and internationalise archaeology while recording the achievements of the pioneering 19th century archaeologists.
Ironically there is, only one Irish entry, Newgrange.
