Accidental archaeologists : true stories of unexpected discoveries / Sarah Albee.

Title:

Author:

Albee, Sarah

ISBN:

9781338575798

9781338575781

1338575783

1338575791

Edition:

First edition.

Publication Info:

New York :

Description:

213 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm

Contents:

Blast from the past -- Etched in stone -- A giant in the field -- In a pile, crocodile -- What a wreck -- Proving a point -- Paleo painters -- The case of the copper coins -- Scroll up -- Bogged down -- Lucky break -- Eternally yours -- Temple of gloom -- Grave considerations -- Dead in a ditch -- Skeleton key -- The chamber of secrets -- You don't say.

Summary:

"A lighthearted but informative look at chance discoveries made by ordinary people, of artifacts (and treasures) from the past. Many of these discoveries have led to leaps in our knowledge of history and science. Each short chapter will begin with a dramatic story of discovery, followed by the significance of the artifact that was discovered, followed by a look into the history of the civilization/era from which the artifact originates. The stories will show readers that potentially anyone-construction workers, farmers, casual passers-by, and even kids-can make discoveries like these"--

Reading Level:

Ages 8-12.

Subject(s):

Archaeology -- History -- Juvenile literature.

Discoveries in science -- History -- Juvenile literature.

Archaeologists -- Juvenile literature.

Holds: Copies (not including on-order items):

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Call Number	Shelf Location	Status	Item Holds
Searching... High Prairie Library	Children's Book	930.1 ALBE	Children's-J-Nonfiction	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable
Searching... Old Colorado City Library	Children's Book	930.1 ALBE	Children's-J-Nonfiction	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

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On Order

Summary

Science meets real-life mystery in this adventurous look at incredible unexpected finds that changed history.Secret treasures are buried all around us -- you just have to look for them! Accidental Archaeologists takes you on an adventure through time to relive some of the coolest surprise discoveries by totally ordinary people all over the world. Meet:- The cowboy who found an ancient skeleton- A famous king buried underneath a parking lot- The team who found New York City's hidden African Burial Ground- A boy who finds the Dead Sea Scrolls while looking for his lost goat- And many more.Packed with incredible stories and expert tips for making your own exciting finds, this is an accessible, action-packed introduction to the world of archaeology.

Author Notes

Sarah Albee was born in 1962 in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Harvard University from 1981-1984. Albee was a member of The American University in Cairo Presidential Interns. This group is for alumni from the Presidential Intern Program at the American University in Cairo.

Albee started her career as a newspaper cartoonist and a semi-professional basketball player. She writes children's books for many age groups and under a number of pseudonyms like Constance Allen, Catherine Lukas, and Sarah Wilson. She has had three of her books appear on the New York Times Bestseller list. Sarah Albee is an author of Sesame Street and Big Bag books; she also wrote the script for Elmo and the Orchestra. Albee has also contributed to the Elmo's Neighborhood and Sesame Street ABCs series. She is also a writer for books from the non-Muppet series, Blue's Clues.

(Publisher Provided)

Reviews (1)

Booklist Review

Archaeology often brings one of two things to mind: Indiana Jones or a dusty dig site crawling with meticulous scientists. But many important discoveries have been made by amateurs, often accidentally! This title covers a number of inadvertent breakthroughs made by a diverse group of figures, including a Bedouin goat herder, a freed slave turned cowboy, and an Italian sideshow performer, and while some discoveries are well known (the Rosetta Stone), others are less so (ancient papyrus scrolls stuffed into mummified crocodiles). Accounts span continents and centuries and are impressively comprehensive, giving historical context to both the moment of the astonishing finds and the history behind the artifacts. Albee's writing is sometimes simplistic, but it breaks stories down into digestible information for young readers, and the commentary is often terrifically funny. Additionally, Albee goes beyond merely extolling exciting archaeological discoveries, confronting the ethical problems inherent to removing artifacts from original countries and cultures. A whirlwind historical tour that may have kids frantically digging holes in backyards when it's done.