X Marks the Spot

The Story of Archaeology in Eight Extraordinary Discoveries

By: Michael Scott

Narrated by: Michael Scott

'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

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)

Very dense, very informative, surprisingly entertaining

I’m not sure what made me choose this book because it’s not something I normally am interested in, but overall I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. It’s a very dense book containing a lot of information, but it was extremely interesting to hear so much less unknown facts and side stories about some of the worlds greatest archaeological finds. In addition, the author did an excellent job narrating it. It’s not easy making this kind of story entertaining and he did it very well. Only reason it’s not a five star is because early on in the book, I felt like there was a bunch of information given that really didn’t help. It didn’t seem to connect with the main focus of the chapter and seemed more like a filler. Definitely recommend, especially if you are a history buff. I will definitely look at other books by this author.

Always something new to learn

Very good at providing new viewpoints and information about well known discoveries along with not as well known discoveries. Very enjoyable listen.

An Epic Journey

A fascinating collection of stories, told by the author himself. Will keep you guessing, laughing, and in awe.