Book excerpt: Using the term geology in its broadest sense, Michael Denis Higgins and Reynold Higgins not only describe the bedrock and the geomorphology of Greece and the Aegean region but also discuss ancient sources of water, stone, and metals in relation to the development of settlements. They explore the links between archaeology and geology, asking how the geological environment shaped settlement in antiquity and how subsequent geological processes have influenced the preservation or destruction of ancient sites. The authors begin with an outline of the geological background and explain some of the geological controversies of the area. They catalogue what could be seen on the surface of the earth and consider, as well, the processes that resulted in those surface features. Their general survey is followed by the treatment of individual sites within settlements. A Geological Companion to Greece and the Aegean includes over 140 maps, as well as space-shuttle photographs, a glossary, and references to original sources. It will interest scholars and archaeologists and will also appeal to those who visit ancient sites and are eager to be fully informed.