2001-10-13 This is a classic of archaeology with clear explanations!

"Before Civilization" is a must for the interested lay reader and for students of archaeology. It explains clearly and simply how radiocarbon dating works and how it came to be used in archaeology. This is a welcome second edition updating the original classic. Finally, what makes this an informative and pleasant read is Colin Renfrew's skill in selecting and developing interesting examples to illustrate the debates and thinking behind the adoption of radiocarbon dating - and the subsequent problems that scientists have had to resolve in order to achieve a reliable independent form of dating!