X Marks the Spot cover art

X Marks the Spot

The Story of Archaeology in Eight Extraordinary Discoveries

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X Marks the Spot

By: Michael Scott
Narrated by: Michael Scott
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About this listen



'Fascinating' GREG JENNER
'I couldn't put it down' JANINA RAMIREZ
'Alive with the spirit of adventure' RANULPH FIENNES
'If you love Indiana Jones, this is the real thing' DAN SNOW

Ancient shipwrecks in crystal seas, mythical princesses preserved in ice and astonishing lost rituals - this is the story of archaeology.

Professor Michael Scott uncovers the true stories behind history's most monumental discoveries, unearthing traps, curses and buried treasure along the way. Full of extraordinary characters - from glory hunters to forgotten heroes - X Marks the Spot explores our love affair with the past.

©2023 Michael Scott (P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

 Ancient Archaeology Discovery

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Critic reviews

If you love Indiana Jones, this is the real thing. Michael Scott celebrates the fusion of scholarship and adventure in a book full of both. (DAN SNOW)
Through eight of history's most audacious acts of discovery, Michael Scott tells us the story of archaeology itself. This is a thrilling investigation of humankind's obsession with the physical remains of its past. (SUZANNAH LIPSCOMB)
A fascinating book; both as a greatest hits compendium of archaeological breakthroughs, and as a subtle examination of how "discovery" has evolved. In tracing Archaeology's journey, Professor Michael Scott shows that "discovery" often required more than just courage, persistence, and talent, but also geopolitical pressure, local knowledge, dubious ethical choices, and pure blind luck! (GREG JENNER)
Do you wish you knew more about some of the most fascinating archaeological discoveries made around the world? Then pick up Michael Scott's fabulous, learned, smart and never-dusty new book immediately. It's wonderful. (NATALIE HAYNES)
Michael Scott tells these stories in an affable, scholarly and accessible way with an expert eye, giving us incisive portraits of the fascinating, often difficult and driven characters who expanded the frontiers of knowledge, whilst also examining their actions in light of our modern values and debates about restitution, display and ongoing scholarly investigation (MICHAEL WOOD)
An essential read for anyone with even a fleeting interest in exploring the past. Michael weaves a world around each discovery, which tells us as much about modern attitudes as it does about the ancient civilisations unearthed. I couldn't put it down! (JANINA RAMIREZ)
Vivid, pacey and full of fascinating detail, X Marks the Spot is a riveting adventure through time, propelled by Michael Scott's excellent scholarship and accessible writing style. (ALICE LOXTON)
Endlessly fascinating and thought-provoking, this book is as satisfying a find as any of the archaeological discoveries that it charts. Highly recommended. (TRACY BORMAN)
Michael Scott deftly captures the trials and triumphs of archaeology, from the privations of life on a dig to the thrill of discovery. Wide-ranging in time and space, X Marks the Spot is a fascinating mix of history, biography and - above all - adventure. (TOBY WILKINSON, author of A World Beneath the Sands)

A rollicking read, full of fascinating detail and unexpected twists. (NAOISE MAC SWEENEY, Professor of Archaeology, University of Vienna)

What listeners say about X Marks the Spot

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Profile Image for AILEEN

Fascinating selection of archaeological highlights

Excellent selection of world archaeology told with engaging enthusiasm by the author. His knowledge and authority of his subject are evident throughout and make for compelling listening.

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I loved this book!

Such great stories, told very enthusiastically by the author himself. He really has a great way of developing a plot - of actual real events. I’d love some more :)

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Fascinating stories wonderfully described

This is an excellent book that kept me engaged throughout. Some stories were known to me although, after listening, not necessarily accurately, others were new to me . I found the content , style and pace of the book enabled me to visualize the worlds and people that were being described and left me sorry that it had finished when I came to the epilogue. I hope Professor Scott returns with more stories very soon.

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Profile Image for Mrs Su Underwood

Real life ‘Indiana Jones’ stories

A fascinating book that gives a page turning account of some of the most important archaeological finds of the last two centuries. Indomitable characters working determinedly for decades, but also with a liberal sprinkling of good luck. Michael Scott’s narration is perfect and he obviously still loves these stories. I listened to the whole thing in one sitting and I will probably go back and listen to each story again at some point to catch anything that I might have missed in my enthusiasm to find out the outcomes initially!

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things I knew, things I didn't!

loved the background given to some of our biggest discoveries,and the characters who found them.

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So glad I got the audiobook

This was really entertaining and informative. It was read beautifully by the author. I wish i could hear more!

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Brilliant

I absolutely loved listening to this, only downside is it's made me really want to visit all the sites!

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Profile Image for Kuma

A really engaging account of archaeology

A truly fantastic read, with a very diverse and interesting selection of archaeological "discoveries." Really appreciated the rich levels of detail when creating the context of each discovery.

Was very hard to put down.

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Fantastic read

Each ‘find’ is uniquely revealed. Fascinating and well executed. Amazing stories surrounding them. Very well articulated.

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Profile Image for Julie A Addis

Wonderful Listen, Gripping and Educational

Prof Michael Scott brings his own usual, enthusiastic dulcet tones to this wonderful collection of 8 stories about important archaeological finds. They are all fascinating and gripping and, as is always the case with Proff Scott, told in language which makes the subject really interesting and understandable for those of us who are not great scholars! I enjoyed it very much and highly recommend it - a “must listen” in my opinion

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