The idea for this book grew directly out of a course developed by Lawrence Robbins, Professor of Anthopology at Michigan State University, called Great Discoveries in Archaeology. Professor Robbins saw the need for a good introductory book for the course. The book is primarily about four areas: 1) Spectacular and important finds and the way they were made; 2) The personalities concerned with many of these discoveries; 3) The reaction to the finds and their impact on both science and the public; and 4) Changing interpretations about the discoveries.

Dr. Robbins discusses many great discoveries, including the discovery of Lucy, European cave art, Tomb of Tutankhamen, Troy, Pompeii, Machu Picchu, Stonehenge, Native American Sites, the Rosetta Stone and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

This is a reprint of the 1990 edition with the addition of a new Preface which discusses some of the surprising new finds that have appeared since this book was first published.