An Introductory Lecture on Archæology: Delivered Before the University of Cambridge

A scholarly lecture delivered at the University of Cambridge, written in the mid-19th century. This work serves as an informative exploration into the field of archaeology, defining its scope, significance, and relevance across various cultures and historical periods. The text not only outlines the discipline's understanding of human history through its material remains but also addresses the qualifications necessary for a professional archaeologist. The opening of the lecture establishes the framework of archaeology as a comprehensive science concerned with all artifacts left by past societies, including their domestic, social, political, and religious lives. Babington expresses a clear ambition to provide an accessible introduction, acknowledging his predecessors' scholarly contributions while intending to showcase the vast range and significance of archaeological studies. He emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of archaeology, highlighting its connections to history, art, and literature, and lays out his planned discourse on the existing remains of antiquity among various ancient civilizations, from the Egyptians to the Romans, while promoting a respectful appreciation of all forms of antiquity, thereby setting the stage for a thorough investigation into the subject.