Event Description
Unearthing the physical remains of our past is a quintessential human itch – seen in every society from the ancients through to today. But the stories behind archaeological exploration and discovery – what we seek when, what we end up finding, and what we then do with it – tell us as much about ourselves today as they do about the past.
Through sensational stories of discovery, Professor Michael Scott explores the evolution of modern archaeology from colonial expeditions to today’s cutting-edge science, revealing traps, curses and buried treasure along the way. We uncover why different periods and places have caught our attention and imaginations at different points in history. We meet the characters, some celebrated and some forgotten, who made world-famous discoveries like the Rosetta Stone, the Terracotta Warriors and Machu Picchu. We consider ancient human footprints, astounding shipwrecks, mythical princesses and surprising rituals as insights into the wonders of past civilisations. And we explore how archaeological discoveries have often become emblems of modern fascinations and dilemmas.