Digging Up Britain

A New History in Ten Extraordinary Discoveries

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Recounts ten of the most exciting archaeological discoveries in Britain over the past decade

Britain has long been fascinated with its own history and identity, as an island nation besieged by invaders from beyond the seas: the Romans, Vikings and Normans. The long saga of prehistory is often forgotten – but our understanding of our past is changing.

Mike Pitts presents ten astounding archaeological discoveries that shed new light on those who came before us, and radically altered the way we think about our history. His compelling, sometimes teasing, archaeological odyssey illustrates the diversity, complexity and sheer strangeness of the lives that represent Britain’s past.

Extent: 304 pp
Format: Paperback
Illustrations: 79
Publication date: 2021-04-29
Size: 19.8 x 12.9 cm
ISBN: 9780500296127
1. A Viking massacre: Weymouth, AD 1000 • 2. The Staffordshire Hoard: Hammerwich, AD 600–700 • 3. Roman occupation: London, AD 45–400 • 4. Living in round houses: Black Loch, 450–250 BC and Must Farm, 1300–800 BC • 5. Paths of the dead: Cliffs End, 900–300 BC • 6. Shaped by beliefs: Stonehenge, 4000–2000 BC • 7. Deer hunters: Star Carr, 11k years ago 8. Cannibals: Gough’s Cave, 15k years ago • 9. Elephant hunters: Barnham, 400k years ago

Press Reviews

Lucid and informative … conveys both the thrill of discovery and the painstaking, puzzling interpretation work that follows it. … If you’ve ever wondered how we know so much about who we used to be, this is the book for you
Greg Jenner, historian and bestselling author of 'A Million Years In A Day

By taking us backwards in time, 'Digging Up Britain' has the quality of really good science fiction
Tom Holland

The popular archaeology book we have been waiting for … Pitts has presented readers with a vision of a modern discipline, engaged and relevant politically, socially, intellectually and economically
British Archaeology

Many books claim to detail Britain’s ancient past, but few are as absorbing, entertaining and subversively informative as this one
BBC History

About the Author

Mike Pitts is an archaeologist and award-winning journalist. He has been the editor of Britain’s leading archaeological magazine, British Archaeology, for over a decade, and has written several books, including Digging for Richard III, also published by Thames & Hudson.

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