Rating: 
Summary: Top of the stratigraphic heap for archaeologists and others
Review: A super spoof about the good clean, dirty fun of archaeologists. A masterful reminder of the humility that more archaeologists need to show more of the time, but also a short witty tale that can be enjoyed by all ages. But don't you dare neglect that almost as good effort from accross the pond, Paul Bahn's "Bluffer's Guide to Archaeology". Both are as short and to the point as the average contract archaeologist's published site reports are long and, shall we just say, less pointed.
Rating:
Summary: Top of the stratigraphic heap for archaeologists and others
Review: A super spoof about the good clean, dirty fun of archaeologists. A masterful reminder of the humility that more archaeologists need to show more of the time, but also a short witty tale that can be enjoyed by all ages. But don't you dare neglect that almost as good effort from accross the pond, Paul Bahn's "Bluffer's Guide to Archaeology". Both are as short and to the point as the average contract archaeologist's published site reports are long and, shall we just say, less pointed.
Rating:
Summary: A Truely funny review
Review: A truely funny book that we, a group of teachers, enjoyed reading. We were laughing hysterically before we finished the book. This book is a great resource for Social Studies teachers and Language Arts teachers as well. The Social Studies implications are obvious, but Language Arts teachers can use the book in many ways. First, the vocabulary is awesome. What lessons could be taught about rich and humorous use of vocabulary while acutally reading about a serious subject. Also, students could write similar stories, but change the setting. For example, have the story take place in a carport. Above all, have fun with this book!
Rating:
Summary: It doesn't get better than this.
Review: As a trained archeologist, I must say that I found this book to be humorous and delightful. A great gift for any anthropologist.
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Summary: Motel of the Mysteries
Review: David Macaulay is widely known for his writings, which include such works as Cathedral and Pyramid. As a boy, Macaulay was fascinated by simple machinery. Years later, he published many award-winning books, and eventually produced his comic work, Motel of the Mysteries.
Motel is about an historical dig in the distant future. In the year 4022, all the North American continent has been buried under billions of tons of debris from a combined postal error and bad luck which occured in 1985. Howard Carson, an amateur archaeologist, is running in a marathon, when he crosses the site of an old dig from years past. He falls into an undiscovered, underground room with a door on one side. Finding a DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door, he realizes he has discovered an ancient tomb of the inhabitants of the nation that once existed there.
Gathering a small team of archaeologists and assistants, including his wife, Carson sets to work on the site to uncover the secrets of Usa. After three years of excavation, the site is uncovered fully and Carson begins to understand some of the strange burial practices of the citizens of Usa. Once the work is complete, Carson's findings, including the Sacred Urn and Music Box (a toilet) are displayed in a special Yank museum.
Motel of the Mysteries is a short book, but within its cover lies spellbinding material. With wit, brains, and spectacular illustrations, David Macaulay relates an undeniably witty story of a camel-hump scientist and his fall into the history books.
Rating: 
Summary: Motel of the Mysteries
Review: Great and interesting book for adolescents! I would highly recommend this book because it will keep you on the edge of your seats.
Rating:
Summary: Motel of the Mysteries
Review: I think this book is creatively written to get young people to read, and to get a good laugh about how people in the future look at people in the past.
Rating:
Summary: Motel of the Mysteries
Review: I was first introduced to this book by my middle school TAG teacher. She went through the whole thing with us, and we tittered at objects such as the "ceremonial chestpiece." One of my college archaeology professors displayed some images from the book as overheads, as well, and I thought he made a poignant point: that archaeologists sometimes make things up when they don't know the answers. Mysterious objects suddenly take on supposed religious significance.
The author made his point clearly and humorously. Archaeologists and laypeople alike should take a look at this book.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT coffee table book
Review: I was first introduced to this book by my middle school TAG teacher. She went through the whole thing with us, and we tittered at objects such as the "ceremonial chestpiece." One of my college archaeology professors displayed some images from the book as overheads, as well, and I thought he made a poignant point: that archaeologists sometimes make things up when they don't know the answers. Mysterious objects suddenly take on supposed religious significance.
The author made his point clearly and humorously. Archaeologists and laypeople alike should take a look at this book.
Rating:
Summary: A book ALL Archaeologists / Historians should read
Review: If you are a fan of David Macaulay's books about the contruction of such wonders as a Cathedral, Pyramid, City, Mill, etc ... then you will really enjoy this book about future archaeologists / explorers "discovering" the burried ruins of an American motel room in the 41st century ... and the miss-identification of just about every item found. I think that this is a book that every archaeologist / historian should read because it perfectly explains the traps that we may fall into when trying to explain the past using present day knowledge and sensibilities. The events portrayed in this book show the reader just how easy it is to make a mistake ... even when one's best intentions are at stake. Then again, it is a David Macaulay (always great) and it is funny! Especially the Museum Gift Store items displayed at the end of the book.
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