Our understanding of the daily life of early man depends to a large extent on our knowledge of the materials and manufacturing techniques that were used in the production of ancient artifacts. Such a study applied to surviving objects can also give us unexpected information about the spread of trade and its chronology, and about the transmission and adaptation of techniques among different peoples. Many books have been written on archaeological methods such as excavation, but the process of technological investigation has been less widely discussed. This book has established itself as the standard introductory account.