'If you love Indiana Jones, this is the real thing' DAN SNOW

'A thrilling investigation' SUZANNAH LIPSCOMB

'Alive with the spirit of adventure' SIR RANULPH FIENNES

Through eight sensational stories of discovery, Professor Michael Scott traces the evolution of modern archaeology from colonial expeditions to today's cutting-edge digs, unearthing traps, curses and buried treasure along the way.

We uncover why different periods and places have caught our attention and imaginations at different times. We meet the characters, some celebrated and some forgotten, who found world-famous discoveries like the Rosetta Stone, the Terracotta Warriors and Machu Picchu. We investigate ancient human footprints, stunning shipwrecks, mythical princesses and surprising rituals as keyholes to the wonders of past civilisations. And we unravel how archaeological finds have often become emblems of modern fascinations and dilemmas.

Crossing millions of years, trekking from the jungles of South America to the frozen highlands of Central Asia, X Marks the Spot reveals how much the discovery of our past is intertwined with the concerns of our present and why X never, ever marks the spot.

'Fascinating' GREG JENNER

'An essential read for anyone with even a fleeting interest in exploring the past' JANINA RAMIREZ

"Scott has written a book that should be on the shelves of every aspiring young archaeologist. Across eight discoveries, he lays out in great detail their importance in understanding our history ... With X Marks the Spot, we're now fortunate to have a book to inspire the next generation." - Aspects of History magazine

"A lively journey across centuries and continents ... by focusing on the individuals who made such remarkable discoveries, Scott also investigates what their aims and motivations tell us about the ways in which we view the past." - History Revealed

"A vibrant take on key modern archaeological finds and the colourful characters who made them... A breathless account of some of the most audacious adventures from the Enlightenment tradition of treasure hunting, and a sharp, insightful look at the deeper politics behind the treasure that archaeologists find ... so enjoyable ... This awareness of the many factors that underpin our knowledge of the past is what elevates X Marks the Spot, making it a volume well worth reading." - BBC History Magazine