This book gives simple yet complete explanations of how archaeological "detectives" investigate the past by using scientific clues and techniques. Land and sea exploration is covered and sections are devoted to looking for evidence; pottery; bodies; animal and plant remains; and buildings.

Various dating methods are explained: radioactive dating, carbon 14, tree rings, potassium,argon dating, fission track dating, and thermoluminesence.

Also included are sections about detecting fakes (by dating tests, X-rays, and chemical tests) and about how we can preserve our past . Conservation methods for wood, leather, and metal are covered as well as how archaeologists put ancient broken items back together.

The authors explain how archaeologists put together their evidence and research to come to logical conclusions.

As usual with all Usborne books for this age group, the wonderfully simple drawings fully illustrate the concepts presented.

I was given the opportunity to read this book as part of a class that I was taking for my master's program. The first few chapters are pretty good, but after that I found that I disagreed with the author more than anything else. I found that I was frustrated because it didn't seem practical for use in a real classroom.

Though I noticed a few grammatical and spelling errors in this book composed of "real teacher" lesson plans, I found the ideas for use in the intermediate classroom very user-friendly. I feel confident that as a result of reading this book, I can implement the principles of judicious discipline in my classroom this coming year. I was a little lost on some of the theory and reasoning behind judicious discipline because I have not yet read the previous books. I would recommend that you purchase the books on the theory and the practical application for a full understanding of the program.