[[File:Beit shean1.jpg|thumb|right|Extensive excavations at [[Bet She'an]], [[Israel]]]]

Early archaeology was largely an attempt to uncover spectacular artifacts and features, or to explore vast and mysterious abandoned cities. Such pursuits continue to fascinate the public. Books, films, and video games, such as "[[The City of Brass]]", "[[King Solomon's Mines]]", "[[Indiana Jones]]", "[[Tomb Raider]]", [[The Mummy (1999 movie)|"The Mummy"]] and "[[Relic Hunter]]" all testify to the public's interest in the discovery aspect of archaeology.

Much thorough and productive research has indeed been conducted in dramatic locales such as [[Copán]] and the [[Valley of the Kings]], but the bulk of activities and finds of modern archaeology are not so sensational. Archaeological adventure stories tend to ignore the painstaking work involved in carrying out modern survey, [[Excavation (archaeology)|excavation]], and [[archaeological data processing|data processing]]. Some archaeologists refer to such portrayals as "[[pseudoarchaeology]]".

Archaeology has been portrayed in the mainstream media in sensational ways. This has its advantages and disadvantages. Many practitioners point to the childhood excitement of Indiana Jones films and [[Tomb Raider (series)|Tomb Raider]] video games as the inspiration for them to enter the field. Archaeologists are also very much reliant on public support, the question of exactly who they are doing their work for is often discussed. 

उद्देश
Popular views of archaeology
विविध मार्ग
सिद्धान्त