There’s no other book out there quite like David Macaulay’s Motel of the Mysteries. The year is 4022, and an archaeologist has just stumbled upon the greatest archaeological discovery of the century: an intact “motel room” tomb of the late 20th century Usa civilization of North America. The book spoofs both the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and Heinrich Schliemann’s rogue excavations at Troy and Mycenae with an (almost) perfectly straight face. You could spend a lifetime rereading it and studying the history of archaeology and still catch new jokes with every read. You don’t need to have a Ph.D. in Mediterranean archaeology to appreciate this book, though. The Great Postal Collapse of November 29, 1985 that destroyed all civilizations on the North American continent will always be funny. And that’s before you get to the toothbrush earrings and toilet seat “Ceremonial Headdress.” Come for the hilarious misinterpretations of 20th century US culture, stay for the critique of just how wrong archaeologists can be when they jump to conclusions. – Krishni Burns