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Three Stones Make a Wall: The Story of Archaeology Paperback – November 6, 2018

by Eric H. Cline (Author), Glynnis Fawkes (Illustrator)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 233 ratings
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From the bestselling author of 1177 B.C., a comprehensive history of archaeology―from its amateur beginnings to the cutting-edge science it is today

In 1922, Howard Carter peered into Tutankhamun’s tomb for the first time, the only light coming from the candle in his outstretched hand. Urged to tell what he was seeing through the small opening he had cut in the door to the tomb, the Egyptologist famously replied, “I see wonderful things.” Carter’s fabulous discovery is just one of the many spellbinding stories told in Three Stones Make a Wall. Written by Eric Cline, an archaeologist with more than thirty seasons of excavation experience, this book traces the history of archaeology from an amateur pursuit to the cutting-edge science it is today by taking the reader on a tour of major archaeological sites and discoveries. Along the way, it addresses the questions archaeologists are asked most often: How do you know where to dig? How are excavations actually done? How do you know how old something is? Who gets to keep what is found? Taking readers from the pioneering digs of the eighteenth century to today’s exciting new discoveries, Three Stones Make a Wall is a lively and essential introduction to the story of archaeology.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    480 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Princeton University Press
  4. Publication date
    November 6, 2018
  5. Dimensions
    5.3 x 1.4 x 7.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0691183236
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0691183237
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of CHOICE’s Outstanding Academic Titles for 2017"

"Winner of the 2018 Nancy Lapp Popular Book Award, American Schools of Oriental Research"

Review

“Intensely readable.”―James Romm, Wall Street Journal

“Enjoyable and wide-ranging.”―Andrew Robinson, New Scientist

“[A] gripping tale of archaeology's greatest wonders.”―Simon Caterson, Sydney Morning Herald

“This book takes your hand and leads you on a magical archaeology mystery tour across the globe.... Written by one of its greatest storytellers, [it] is a must-have.”―Sarah Parcak, University of Alabama at Birmingham, winner of the 2016 TED Prize

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Princeton University Press; Reprint edition (November 6, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0691183236
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0691183237
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.3 x 1.4 x 7.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 233 ratings

About the author

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Eric H. Cline

Eric H. Cline

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DR. ERIC H. CLINE is Professor of Classics and Anthropology, Director of the Capitol Archaeological Institute, and former Chair of the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at The George Washington University, in Washington DC. A National Geographic Explorer, Fulbright scholar, and NEH Public Scholar with degrees from Dartmouth, Yale, and the University of Pennsylvania, he is an active field archaeologist with more than 30 seasons of excavation and survey experience in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus, Greece, Crete, and the United States, including ten seasons at the site of Megiddo (biblical Armageddon) in Israel and eight seasons at Tel Kabri, also in Israel, where he is currently Co-Director. Winner of the 2014 "Nancy Lapp Award for Best Popular Book" from the American Schools of Oriental Research for his book "1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed," which was also considered for a Pulitzer Prize, and winner of the same award again in 2018 for his book "Three Stones Make a Wall: The Story of Archaeology," he is also a three-time winner of the Biblical Archaeology Society's "Best Popular Book on Archaeology" Award (2001, 2009, and 2011). A popular lecturer who has appeared frequently on television documentaries, he has also won national and local awards for both his research and his teaching. He is the author or editor of 20 books, which have been translated into sixteen languages, as well as nearly 100 articles, and several recorded lecture courses. His previous books written specifically for the general public include "The Battles of Armageddon: Megiddo and the Jezreel Valley from the Bronze Age to the Nuclear Age" (2000); "Jerusalem Besieged: From Ancient Canaan to Modern Israel" (2004); "From Eden to Exile: Unraveling Mysteries of the Bible" (2007); "Biblical Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction" (2009); "The Trojan War: A Very Short Introduction" (2013); "1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed" (2014; revised 2021); "Three Stones Make a Wall: The Story of Archaeology” (2017); and, most recently, "Digging Up Armageddon: The Search for the Lost City of Solomon" (2020).

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
233 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

James Ellison
5.0 out of 5 stars Want To Love Archaeology? Read This Book ~ Really A Ten Star Book ~ **********
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2022
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Without a doubt, the best book that I've ever read. If you don't want to like history or love archaeology then, whatever you do don't read the book. If you want to open your mind; to a new dimension; read the book. One should experience the thought processes in this book. Watching the sun rise on an ancient site; where twenty other civilizations once existed. Knowing that the environment in which an artifact is found; is just as important as the artifact itself. My favorite part of the book is the chapter entitled: 'Enchantment Under The Sea'. This chapter gives a beautiful description of: the Uluburun Shipwreck; (sunk around 1300 BCE.) It must have been a magnificent ship. One can almost imagine standing on the deck of this ship. Loaded with copper, tin, ivory, raw glass, and many precious artifacts. Must have been an amazing phenomena. The only thing that I have seen that is mentioned in this book is: the 'Terracotta Warriors'. My family and I saw this fabulous exhibit in San Francisco about twenty-five years ago. I remember most distinctly amongst all the artifacts there; a beautiful figurine of a Chinese Empress? I do not remember reading the possible identification for this figurine at that time. In any event, it was an amazing experience. The book is organized well. There are the 'Digging Deeper' chapters that are found at intervals throughout the book. These chapters relate to some fundamental concepts regarding archaeological standards. (However, one should never tire of simple basic principles.) The book is never dry at any point. The ending is delightful and has a lot of humor. If you want a fifth dimensional view of history and the science of archaeology; this book is a must. If you want to spark the interest of any student; this book is an absolute necessity. I highly recommend this book. If I could give it ten stars; I certainly would not hesitate doing so. You will certainly 'DIG IT!' ~ **********
4 people found this helpful
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RAmazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars how archeology is done
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2019
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Again, I bought this book because an exce;llent book by the author came across my reading before. This is well written, and it describes how you proceed on various types of archeological research. Not as interesting ( I am too old to become one), but still fascinating. A worthwhile reading.
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Carla Cullen
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Overview of Archaeology
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2023
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Great overview of archaeology, in a format that combines in-depth looks at specific sites (e.g. Troy, Megiddo, Masada) with more general questions on archaeological methodology. The writing is easy to follow and engaging, and the descriptions that bring the sites to life. I particularly like the way Cline goes into the history of each site, from the earliest excavations all the way to modern-day advances in technology that have expanded our archaeological knowledge.
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Gabriella Carlino
5.0 out of 5 stars A Readable and Fascinating Archaeological Finding
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2019
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An amazing book! My Archaeology teacher has been using it as our class textbook, and with each of the readings she's assigned us I get more and more excited to read more of the book. I've even read ahead a few times!

So, I highly recommend this book if you want a good read and to learn some history without feeling like it's some everyday old history textbook - which typically feel like they have no flare. But hey that's my personal opinion, you may love how normal textbooks are written, but you should still give Eric Cline's book a chance, because if you don't you may never understand how 3 stones make a wall (or just why this book has its title XD)
2 people found this helpful
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Charles G. Irvine
3.0 out of 5 stars A book on what’s new in archeology.
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2017
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Very interesting run-by on archeology. Doesn’t dwell long over “digs”. Keeps focus on what’s going on all over the world.
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TCJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Summary of Archaeology Today
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2017
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This is truly a tour de force. I have subscribed to Archaeology Magazine for 20 years, ever since I visited many native sites in Alaska and far Eastern Russia with an archaeologist from Brown University. The book covers the early days of archaeology in the 1800s and 1900s. Most of the important sites in the world are included. I learned about many places new to me and learned new things about sites I have visited. I was truly delighted to see the mention of a classmate from Brown, Martha Joukowsky, who has devoted her life to the excavation of Petra in Jordan. This book is easy to read and interesting. If you enjoy it, you will be encouraged to learn more about the roots of our civilization.
8 people found this helpful
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Prof. Jay W. Randle
4.0 out of 5 stars The story of archaeology for a general readership
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2020
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A well-written and informative general introduction to the history, development, and contemporary practice of archaeology.
2 people found this helpful
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Maggie O
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2022
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For those familiar with famous sites, there isn't much new . but there are new tidbits . it's written in an entertaining way. A fun read. Answers some questions you always wanted to ask
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Top reviews from other countries

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orlando
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinante
Reviewed in Brazil on February 10, 2021
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Livro fantástico que percorre os grandes achados arqueológicos de maneira simples sem deixar de ser histórico
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ron
5.0 out of 5 stars The clues that were left behind
Reviewed in Canada on December 7, 2017
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An enlightening discourse on archeology and how to think about artifacts and how to develop a view on the past life of humans based upon what we have left behind. This may encourage youth to spend more time learning about our past.
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Francisco Serrano
5.0 out of 5 stars Me ha entusiasmado y se lo estoy aconsejando a mis amigos
Reviewed in Spain on May 2, 2018
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Se lo aconsejaría a todo aquel que disfrute interesándose por los retos que tiene pendiente la Arqueología, y por los hitos ya superados.
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JPS
5.0 out of 5 stars A gem of an introduction
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 8, 2018
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Three stones make a wall is an introduction to archaeology that is targeted at a wide audience. It is a gem of a book that wonderfully fits its purpose and fulfils its objective in all ways. It is written in a clear, didactic, engaging and easy to understand way, with the author including his personal experience -over thirty years of excavation campaigns – to what is an overview of some of the main sites around the world and the main techniques used to both find them and excavate them.

In addition to this, the book is also somewhat of a history of archaeology, with some of its vignettes telling the story of sole of the most famous and first finds and excavations, whether in Italy (Pompeii), Egypt (Tutankhamun’s tomb or “King Tut” as the author keeps calling him), Asia Minor (Troy) or Greece (Mycenae and Knossos) where some archaeologists were little better than tomb raiders and treasure hunters.

The book includes a preface, a prologue, an epilogue and six parts, with each of the later divided into chapters and each chapter dedicated to a specific region or period. The preface is built around one of the author’s amusing anecdotes that happened during one of his first digs and where the object he found turned out to be something completely different to what he initially believed. The prologue is a short but fascinating account of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb.

The first part contains the story of the earliest excavations in Italy, Troy (and the Hittites), Mesopotamia and Central America up to World War II. The second part is about prehistorical archaeology, including some of the most recent finds up to 2017 included and their consequences on what we thought we know about our (very) distant ancestors. Parts 3 and 4 are about the Bronze Age Aegean, including Thera, and the Classics (Athens, and the agora in particular that the author help excavate, and Rome). Parts 5 and 6 are made of chapters focusing on the Holy Land, with sections on the twenty identified cities of Armageddon/Megiddo and the fortress of Masada, and on “New World Archaeology”, that is pre-Columbian archaeology in the Americas, respectively.

While there is a little something on China - the Terracotta soldiers and the related Emperor’s tomb in particular, which has yet to be excavated – there is however nothing on large areas of Asia, such as India, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia and Russia and next to nothing on Africa, apart from the excavations of Neolithic and more generally prehistorical sites. To be fair, however, Eric Cline’s book is an introduction aimed at a general audience, as opposed to a comprehensive manual for students or professionals on archaeology. In addition, the author has privileged the most well-known sites and/or those that he participated in excavating. For instance, there is nothing about specific sites in France, Germany, Spain or the UK (to name just these countries) simple because the author does not seem to have participated in any diggings in the respective countries.

Another major quality of this book is to show to what extent archaeology is evolving with new techniques and technologies being used to increase its efficiency and limit excavations. These technologies and techniques are presented in simple and lay terms in four “Digging Deeper” sections spread across the book. Together with a rather impressive number of recent discoveries, these techniques show to what extent archaeology has a future (pun intended!), a point that the author also makes clear in his epilogue, although, unlike the author who happens to be American, I am not quite convinced that the most promising geographical area for future findings happens to be the “New World”.

A further interesting theme is about illegal diggings and findings, antique trafficking and smuggling and voluntary destruction of artefacts from the past, as we have seen in Afghanistan, Irak and Syria since the beginning of the 21st century. As the author very well explains, a stolen antique coming from an illegal digging loses most of its value for an archaeologist because its origin and context are essentially lost, although there can be some exceptions to this, as Eric Cline mentions when discussing the Dead Sea Scrolls findings.

Five fully deserved stars
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A wealth of information
Reviewed in Australia on January 22, 2020
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An amazing book for a beginner wanting to increase their understanding of Archaeology.
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