Paperback. Blue cover with a black title and portrait.

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Digging Up the Past is a foundational introduction to archaeology by renowned British archaeologist Sir Leonard Woolley. First published in 1930, the classic work is based on a series of BBC radio broadcasts and explores the science, history, and detective work of excavating ancient civilizations, particularly Woolley’s own groundbreaking discoveries at Ur. 

Review:  Great read if you are into archaeology!

Book Overview

• Author: Sir Leonard Woolley
• Print Year: The Penguin Books/Pelican Books edition referenced was printed in 1965
• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Books / Pelican Books 

Key Themes

• From Treasure Hunt to Science: The book emphasizes that archaeology is not merely a treasure hunt, but an exact science used to uncover the pre-history of humanity. 
• Methodical Excavation: Woolley describes how a “dig” is meticulously planned and organized, from choosing the right site to careful digging, artifact handling, and recording associations. 
• Reconstructing the Past: He details the exact science of “grave-digging” (such as the royal cemeteries of antiquity) and explains how finds are analyzed to serve as historical links. 

Sir Charles Leonard Woolley (17 April 1880 – 20 February 1960) was a British archaeologist best known for his excavations at Ur in Mesopotamia. He is recognized as one of the first “modern” archaeologists who excavated in a methodical way, keeping careful records, and using them to reconstruct ancient life and history. Woolley was knighted in 1935 for his contributions to the discipline of archaeology. He was married to the British archaeologist Katharine Woolley.