Past Worlds: The Times Atlas of Archaeology

'Past Worlds' The Times Atlas of Archaeology' is to me, a map lover of long standing, a tall glass of cool water. It is one of the very few reference books I actually own and quite possibly the reference I open even more often than my Merriam Webster 3rd Unabridged. There is not a single episode of fiction based on Greek or Roman or Egyptian or ancient Chinese or Indian lore which does not prompt me to open this volume. One of its most obvious virtues is the size of its pages. My other historical atlas is published by Anchor Paperbacks and making any sense of it at all prompts me to break out the magnifying glass. It's standard paperback sized pages cover a great swatch of history and it does it well, but it is no pleasure to read the fine print. This volume, like most contemporary Atlases is not just about maps. It devotes many pages to the archeological methods which were used to unearth the information used to construct these maps. It also covers much more than political boundaries, with much material on cultural, economic, and military interest. The book begins in prehistory and ends at the industrial revolution. Note that there is not a lot here on military history once we leave the Roman Empire. For that, there are many other good histories and atlases. This book is mostly about the findings or archeological research, inchuding archeology into Paul Revere's dustbin. Very highly recommended.

I am fond of antiquity and have sought atlas and comprehensive reviews for a long time. Buying this book I found a thorough description of past civilizations, migratory trends, history from the beginning of mankind to what can be considered still archaeological, not just old. That includes Africa and Australia to just a few hundred years ago. It can be read, and I did so, as a history more than as an archeology book. If used in a classroom it could help understand history more than most history books. Facts and information are always in due perspective, information is abundant. You end up knitting loose ends in your historical knowledge. Illustrations are plentiful, helping and not interfering with text, which is kept to a reasonable amount.I heartily recommend this fine book.

If you want to review where, how and when civilization was born in different parts of the planet, this is a good book. My work as a museologist specialised in education has me adapt different messages to different clienteles. Every time I must go far back in time, this book is among the first I will consult. It is well illustrated with pictures of objects, sketches, maps, etc. It was first published in 1988. A still very interesting vulgarization book. A must in my library!