This text commences with the history of tektites, from mediaeval China, through finds in Czechoslovakia in the 18th century and Darwin's description while on the Beagle, to 20th-century finds in South East Asia, the Ivory Coast and the USA. The four major strewn fields are described, followed by their extension by deep sea finds of microtektites and the recognition of irregular, large layered tektites in SE Asia.