The Usborne Young Scientist Archaeology (Young Scientist)

Rating:
Summary: Complex Topic Well-Explained
Review: This book gives simple yet complete explanations of how archaeological "detectives" investigate the past by using scientific clues and techniques. Land and sea exploration is covered and sections are devoted to looking for evidence; pottery; bodies; animal and plant remains; and buildings.

Various dating methods are explained: radioactive dating, carbon 14, tree rings, potassium,argon dating, fission track dating, and thermoluminesence.

Also included are sections about detecting fakes (by dating tests, X-rays, and chemical tests) and about how we can preserve our past . Conservation methods for wood, leather, and metal are covered as well as how archaeologists put ancient broken items back together.

The authors explain how archaeologists put together their evidence and research to come to logical conclusions.

As usual with all Usborne books for this age group, the wonderfully simple drawings fully illustrate the concepts presented.