This volume investigates the application of archaeological methodologies to the study of contemporary society and the recent past. Authors Gavin Lucas and Victor Buchli argue that by treating modern artifacts and environments with the same analytical rigor typically reserved for ancient civilizations, researchers can uncover hidden dimensions of modern identity and social structures. The text synthesizes diverse case studies to demonstrate how material remains provide a unique, often overlooked, perspective on the complexities of the present day.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for the sub-discipline of contemporary archaeology. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous guide for scholars interested in the material culture of the modern era.