The cover illustration of Rescue Archaeology is certainly designed to catch the eye, and admirably conveys the tenor and context of the book. ''Could'', one wonders, “our foremost archaeological site – Stonehenge – ever be torn apart by the bulldozer?'' This book strives to show that the illustration might one day be transformed from artistic imagination into cold fact.

Rescue Archaeology has been eagerly and, one might also add, over-long awaited, much of it referring to work as far back on as 1971. Indeed, one of by few criticisms is that it will tend to date in the light of more recent discoveries all information. But despite this, it is a book which should be on the shelves of all who have an interest in the subject, professionals and amateurs alike.

It is the first book of its kind to stress the rapidly accelerating destruction of our archaeological heritage, not only on national, but world scale. But while outlining the situation, it also seeks to find the remedy to the besetting problem of modern archaeology: should it stand in the way of progress? Is a compromise possible?

The boor's contributors, for the most part eminent archaeologists in their own fields, all provide detailed syntheses of the particular problems they have encountered, although with perhaps a less than adequate summary of their solutions. Our own director, Peter Addyman, has written on how the problems of one particular city, York, have been dealt with by the establishment of a research unit of professional archaeologists and various specialists. A chapter by the pioneer of aerial photographic techniques in archaeology,

Dr J.K. St Joseph, shows the previously unimagined density of urban settlement, and this is complemented by the contribution of Peter Fowler on the threats of motorcar expansion and his particular concern with the M5 rescue project. Martin Bindle, with the experience of his work in Winchester, writes on the ‘Future of the Urban Past’, backed up by some alarming statistics. For example, of the 906 historic towns in the British Isles, over half are threatened by some sort of development, and in many of these, no archaeological work has been undertaken. Nor is the book totally concerned with the problems facing Great Britain. In a chapter by John Alexander, the world situation is examined and the problems facing the developing nations seeking to pursue industrial development to the detriment of their archaeological and architectural remains.

On the more practical side, two full-time rescue archaeologists, Brian Philp and Chris Musson, describe their own particular experiences in Kent and Wales respectively, while Philip Rahtz strikes an even more immediate and down-to-earth note that is often amusing and sometimes alarming, in his chapter entitled ‘Volunteers’; this comes complete with notes on trowelling technique, which advocate, rather than a 'follow-through', ‘an ability to brake hard in midsweep if anything critical is seen. He includes essential notes on how to join an excavation and what to expect, and has an interesting comment on the relative abilities of the sexes, which I cannot resist mentioning. “Most women volunteers are more useful than men, except for heavy digging. They tend to be more patient, more diligent and quicker to learn…”!

We are only now, it seems, beginning to realise the enormity of the problem, but this realisation is slowly being transformed into positive action. In the forefront of this new development is ‘Rescue’; an organisation initiated in 1971 to draw attention to the mass destruction of archaeological sites, to amend and extend existing legislation concerning them; to improve archaeological training, and perhaps most important of all, to seek an increase in government financial aid. The book rightly stresses that archaeologists must capitalise on the growth of public interest in the subject, if we are not to be looked on as unbelievable vandals by our grandchildren.

Rescue Archaeology is edited by Philip E. Rahtz and is published by Pelican.

Sara Bishop