It is a time when the first automobiles have just begun to appear in the streets, and when a glimpse of stocking is something shocking. Kadran Atwin has graduated in archaeology and is about to take part in a 'dig' that could shed some light on why the continent of Eurasia failed to develop an advanced civilization of any kind. Over the past four hundred years it has been progressively occupied by colonisers from technologically superior nations in North America. The story is set in an 'alternative history' scenario that develops in a series of events strongly reminiscent of events that took place in the 'real world' at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Among Kadran's colleagues is Chedry Esgera, an independently-minded woman who, unusually for the time, is also a graduate. Together they make startling discoveries, encounter revolution and war, and meet people from widely different backgrounds - but all very similar to people who were living in the 'real world' a hundred years ago.