Archaeology is a jargon-free and accessible introduction to the field which details how archaeologists study the human past in all its fascinating diversity. Now in its twelfth edition, this classic textbook has been updated to reflect the latest research and new findings in the field. The book examines archaeology and its history, considering the role of the archaeologist and how they discover, investigate and classify sites and artifacts.Richly illustrated throughout, this journey through archaeology also includes a discussion of important individuals and groups, and some of the ways in which archaeologists attempt to explain major social and cultural changes in the remote past.