From Stonehenge to Samarkand: An Anthology of Archaeological Travel WritingEver since Roman tourists scratched graffiti on the pyramids and temples of Egypt over two thousand years ago, people have traveled far and wide seeking the great wonders of antiquity. In From Stonehenge to Samarkand, noted archaeologist and popular writer Brian Fagan offers an engaging historical account of our enduring love of ancient architecture--the irresistible impulse to visit strange lands in search of lost cities and forgotten monuments.Here is a marvelous history of archaeological tourism, with generous excerpts from the writings of the tourists themselves. Readers will find Herodotus describing the construction of Babylon; Edward Gibbon receiving inspiration for his seminal work while wandering through the ruins of the Forum in Rome; Gustave Flaubert watching the sunrise from atop the Pyramid of Cheops. We visit Easter Island with Pierre Loti, Machu Picchu with Hiram Bingham, Central Africa with David Livingstone. Fagan describes the early antiquarians, consumed with a passionate and omnivorous curiosity, pondering the mysteries of Stonehenge, but he also considers some of the less reputable figures, such as the Earl of Elgin, who sold large parts of the Parthenon to the British Museum. Finally, he discusses the changing nature of archaeological tourism, from the early romantic wanderings of the solitary figure, communing with the departed spirits of Druids or Mayans, to the cruise-ship excursions of modern times, where masses of tourists are hustled through ruins, barely aware of their surroundings.From the Holy Land to the Silk Road, the Yucatan to Angkor Wat, Fagan follows in the footsteps of the great archaeological travelers to retrieve their first written impressions in a book that will delight anyone fascinated with the landmarks of ancient civilization. |
Contents
Chapter 1 Beginnings | 1 |
Chapter 2 The Antiquarians | 17 |
Chapter 3 The Grand Tour | 33 |
Chapter 4 Greece Bespoiled | 49 |
Chapter 5 Pharaohs and Pyramids | 61 |
Chapter 6 From Babylon to Persepolis | 75 |
Chapter 7 Palmyra and Petra | 93 |
Chapter 8 Tourists Along the Nile | 111 |
Chapter 11 To Desert and Steppe | 181 |
Chapter 12 Individualists | 197 |
Chapter 13 Travel as Commodity | 223 |
Notes | 259 |
Guide to Further Reading | 269 |
Acknowledgments | 275 |
Credits | 277 |
281 | |
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Common terms and phrases
American ancient antiquities appeared Arab archaeological Babylon beautiful became bricks buildings built Byron called central century Chapter civilization columns covered dark described early Egypt Egyptian English experience explore eyes face feet followed four grand green ground hand head Herat houses hundred imagination Inca Indian interest Italy John journey King known land later light lived London looked miles monuments mosque mountain moved never night Nile once palace passed past Persian Petra Press pyramids reached remains remarkable returned Rich river Road rock Roman ruins seemed seen side standing steps stone Stonehenge temple things thousand tomb took tour tourists town trees turned University Valley visitors walls whole wonderful writing wrote York young