In 1880 Flinders Petrie carried out the first thorough survey of the pyramids. His aim was to test the current theory that the Great Pyramid was divinely inspired. While disproving the theory, he became aware of the wholesale plundering of the ancient monuments of Egypt. He determined that something should be done and joined the newly-formed Egypt Exploration Fund to introduce proper scientific excavation. Nobody before him had recognised the significance of the small things, the potsherds and everyday domestic objects. Here, he saw, lay the true history of a country. For 70 years Petrie devoted himself passionately and untiringly to the study of the civilisations of Egypt and Palestine, laying the foundations of their archaeology. Re-aired 15 June 1983