A concise, entertaining snapshot of the history and modernity of American archaeology. Journalist and conservation archaeologist R.E. Burrillo presents a comprehensive view of the delightfully mythologized history-and often harsh realities-of archaeological work in the United States. Colorful characters and fieldwork experiences show the human side of an often controversial science in this chronological deep dive that explores archaeology's fraught relationship with the American public-and where it can go from here.