The Seven Wonders (7W) of the ancient world symbolize all that was magnificent & mysterious in the pre-Christian West. Using the words of ancient writers & modern archaeological techniques, the Romers's recreate the images of these lost monuments. This book tells the story of the Ôarchaeology of wonder': stories of the travelers & scholars who came in contact with these 7W, the stories of the wonders themselves, & the histories of their making & breaking. Traces the archaeological hunt to find the 7W, from the earliest digs to the latest discoveries of current excavations. Also includes fresh translations of the accounts of those who sailed the seas & rivers of the ancient world to walk among the 7W & wonder at them. Color & B&W photos & illus.