Illustrating the Past

Our understanding of the human past is limited and often highly abstract. The mute evidence we obtain from excavation--from dusty pots to colorless shards and bone fragments--can make it difficult to visualize what life was really like. Reconstruction art offers a different way into the past, bringing archaeology to life. This beautifully illustrated book explores the history of reconstruction art and archaeology, highlighting the work of seven influential artists. Through interviews and correspondence, Judith Dobie builds a picture of how these artists' personalities, interests, and backgrounds influence their art. Extensively illustrated case studies featuring working sketches demonstrate how reconstruction artists meaningfully shape how we interpret archaeological sites.