Anyone interested in the findings of archeology will be fascinated with this, whether he be a layman or a scientist. And to others, whose interest is in subject of China, there is a freshness of approach through the archeological angle, that is unique. Bit by bit, using concrete evidence, he recreates the details of day by day life, government, the family, customs, traditions, utensils, ornaments, dress, weapons, relations with other people, and so on. The emphasis is on an early stage of civilization, the locale is North China, the period the Shang dynasty (1765-1120 B.C., and the succeeding Chou dynasty, which brings the history down to 256 B.C.) There is no attempt to recreate the historical development; his interest lies primarily in the understanding of the civilization of that far-off day.