This slim book should be in the possession of every beginning student in archaeology. It"s short on theory but long on methodology and practical advice. Wilkinson (Kent Archaeological Field School, UK) writes for both students and amateurs (though he expressly encourages amateur diggers to get training under the auspices of established field schools). Sections include information on documentary sources; aerial, ground, and field survey; excavation and the site grid; drawn and written records; recording stone, timber, and skeletons; soil sampling; and small finds. Generously illustrated with helpful maps, photos, and diagrams covering periods in English archaeology from prehistory to the medieval, the book even includes diagrams for identifying features of stone, brick, and timber for standing or ruined buildings. Distributed in North America by The David Brown Book Co. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)