Telling Stories of the Past: An Archaeologist's Memoir

Archaeology has never had as prolific and articulate an advocate as Brian Fagan. Vernon L. Scarborough Brian Fagan is arguably the best-known archaeologist of the past half century. His nine textbooks introduced hundreds of thousands of students to archaeology. His 50 popular books on everything from Stonehenge to human origins to carbon dating, brought archaeology to a broad swath of the public and sometimes landed on the NY Times bestseller list. He wrote columns for archaeology magazines and for general ones. He was a regular participant on TV shows and documentaries about the past. Telling Stories of the Past is Fagan's memoir of his life and work, completed only days before his death in July, 2025. In this book he charts his early career as a field archaeologist in Africa, his work as a museum officer, his entry into academic life, his writing and teaching at University of California Santa Barbara, and his long career as a consultant working with the National Geographic Society, the BBC and other media organizations. He won numerous awards for his public writing, teaching, and media work. He focuses the most attention on his work as a writer and a teacher, including describing his process for developing trade books and textbooks and his approach to attracting students to archaeology through innovative teaching methods. The guidance he provides here will be of great value to younger scholars and writers. Fagan also discusses his concern with climate change, resulting in a series of four recent books on the subject. A lifelong sailor, Brian shows how the discipline required for sailing impacted his ability to think and write as an archaeologist. His interaction with many of the legendary figures in archaeology are recounted as well. Written in Fagan's clear, popular style, this volume will provide direction for younger archaeologists who wish to engage with the general public and will be an illuminating guide to archaeology for non-specialist readers. Read more