Digging Up Britain
A New History in Ten Extraordinary Discoveries
Published on 29. April 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-0-500-29612-7 (ISBN)
Description
Britain has long been fascinated with its own history and identity, as an island nation besieged by invaders from beyond the seas: the Romans, Vikings and Normans. The long saga of prehistory is often forgotten - but our understanding of our past is changing.
Mike Pitts presents ten astounding archaeological discoveries that shed new light on those who came before us, and radically altered the way we think about our history. His compelling, sometimes teasing, archaeological odyssey illustrates the diversity, complexity and sheer strangeness of the lives that represent Britain's past.
With 79 illustrations, 24 in colour
Mike Pitts presents ten astounding archaeological discoveries that shed new light on those who came before us, and radically altered the way we think about our history. His compelling, sometimes teasing, archaeological odyssey illustrates the diversity, complexity and sheer strangeness of the lives that represent Britain's past.
With 79 illustrations, 24 in colour
Reviews / Votes
'Lucid and informative ... conveys both the thrill of discovery and the painstaking, puzzling interpretation work that follows it. ... If you've ever wondered how we know so much about who we used to be, this is the book for you ' - Greg Jenner, historian and bestselling author of 'A Million Years In A Day' 'By taking us backwards in time, 'Digging Up Britain' has the quality of really good science fiction ' - Tom Holland 'The popular archaeology book we have been waiting for ... Pitts has presented readers with a vision of a modern discipline, engaged and relevant politically, socially, intellectually and economically' - British Archaeology 'Many books claim to detail Britain's ancient past, but few are as absorbing, entertaining and subversively informative as this one' - BBC History 'A great book, full of engaging and thought-provoking new perspectives on some key discoveries which will appeal to archaeologists and non-archaeologists alike' - Professor Carenza Lewis, University of Lincoln 'Authoritative stuff' - Book BrunchMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
55 Illustrations, black and white; 24 Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 131 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
289 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-500-29612-7 (9780500296127)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Mike Pitts is an archaeologist and award-winning journalist. He has been the editor of Britain's leading archaeological magazine, British Archaeology, for over a decade, and has written several books, including Digging for Richard III, also published by Thames & Hudson.
Content
1. A Viking massacre: Weymouth, AD 1000 * 2. The Staffordshire Hoard: Hammerwich, AD 600-700 * 3. Roman occupation: London, AD 45-400 * 4. Living in round houses: Black Loch, 450-250 BC and Must Farm, 1300-800 BC * 5. Paths of the dead: Cliffs End, 900-300 BC * 6. Shaped by beliefs: Stonehenge, 4000-2000 BC * 7. Deer hunters: Star Carr, 11k years ago 8. Cannibals: Gough's Cave, 15k years ago * 9. Elephant hunters: Barnham, 400k years ago