Review by Eugenia Ellanskaya.
When it comes to interpreting archaeological sites, invisible ink comes to mind as a common medium that has been used to paint the elusive picture of our past. Eye-opening discoveries often come from those slight variations in soil colour and texture that demand subtle observation and patience. Indeed, much of what Chloë Duckworth encounters in The Great British Dig requires a pair of eagle eyes, tenacity, and imagination.
Duckworth’s new book, based on the UK television series of the same name, is an offscreen guide to the sites, methods, and discoveries covered by the programme. Whether you have watched the original or not, this book acts as a great reminder of why many of us fall for archaeology in the first place: the anticipation and thrill of great finds, which might amount to nothing more than a pottery rim that – through informed speculation – can be reconstructed into a fully formed ancient vessel; the discovery of dramatic turns of events long gone; or even the humbling realisation that we are, in fact, not that different from our predecessors. Such is the case with some Roman glass discussed in the book: an incredibly modern-looking artefact that could easily be dismissed. The chapters are filled with such artefactual insights, as well as clues to look out for in order to interpret such objects and heaps of anecdotes that help bring it all to life.
Keeping your eye on the GOAL