Archaeology is a vast subject - it is the study of human society everywhere in the world, from distant human origins 3-4 million years ago up to the present day. The Oxford Handbook of Archaeology brings together 35 authors - all specialists in their own fields - to explain what archaeologyis really about. This is one of the most comprehensive treatments of the subject and of the key debates ever attempted. It is designed to open up the world of archaeology to non-specialists and to provide an essential starting point for those who want to pursue particular topics in more depth.

Barry Cunliffe is Emeritus Professor of European Archaeology at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of the British Academy. He has excavated widely in Britain, the Channel Islands, France, and Spain, and written a number of books on archaeology, including Facing the Ocean (OUP, 2001) and The Celts (OUP, 2003). He has presented many radio and television programmes and is currently Trustee of the British Museum and Commissioner of English Heritage.
Chris Gosden is Professor of European Archaeology at the University of Oxford. He has excavated in Britain, Europe, Central Asia, and Papua New Guinea, and has written a number of books on archaeology and museum studies, including Prehistory: A Very Short Introduction (OUP, 2003).
Rosemary A. Joyce is Professor in the Department of Archaeology at the University of California at Berkeley.