Archaeology: An Introduction to the World's Greatest Sites

The work of archaeologists has commanded worldwide attention and captivated the human imagination since the earliest days of exploration, with groundbreaking discoveries such as the treasures of ancient Egypt, the lost kingdoms of the Maya, and the fabled city of Troy. Archaeology brings us face-to-face with our distant ancestors, with treasures of the past, and with life as it was lived in long-ago civilizations.

Despite the fascinating and often romantic appeal of archaeology, many of us have little idea of what the field actually involves. What, exactly, do archaeologists do? What takes place on an archaeological dig? And how does the reality of the work differ from what we see in Indiana Jones movies?

Archaeology: An Introduction to the World’s Greatest Sites, taught by renowned archaeologist and National Geographic Explorer Eric H. Cline, answers these questions and more in rich and provocative detail. These thrilling 24 lectures, produced in partnership with National Geographic, introduces you to over 20 of the most significant and enthralling archaeological sites on the planet, providing both an in-depth look at the sites themselves and an insider’s view of the history, science, and technology of archaeology. Prepare yourself for a vivid and detailed exploration of archaeology’s most magnificent discoveries, in the company of an expert archaeologist with decades of experience in the field.

All Lectures:
1. The Origins of Modern Archaeology
2. Excavating Pompeii and Herculaneum
3. Schliemann and His Successors at Troy
4. Early Archaeology in Mesopotamia
5. How Do Archaeologists Know Where to Dig?
6. Prehistoric Archaeology
7. Göbekli Tepe, Çatalhöyük, and Jericho
8. Pyramids, Mummies, and Hieroglyphics
9. King Tut's Tomb
10. How Do You Excavate at a Site?
11. Discovering Mycenae and Knossos
12. Santorini, Akrotiri, and the Atlantis Myth
13. The Uluburun Shipwreck
14. The Dead Sea Scrolls
15. The Myth of Masada?
16. Megiddo: Excavating Armageddon
17. The Canaanite Palace at Tel Kabri
18. Petra, Palmyra, and Ebla
19. How Are Artifacts Dated and Preserved?
20. The Terracotta Army, Sutton Hoo, and Ötzi
21. Discovering the Maya
22. The Nazca Lines, Sipán, and Machu Picchu
23. Archaeology in North America
24. From the Aztecs to Future Archaeology