A lively and accessible introduction to themes and debates in archaeological theory for students of all levels
Archaeological Theory is a relatable, accessible, reader-friendly first step into the world of theory for archaeology students. Recognizing that many students shy away from the study of theory for fear that the material is too difficult or obscure, Archaeological Theory maintains that any student can develop an understanding of theory and that a knowledge of theory will lead to better practice. As one of the leading texts for introductory courses in archaeology and archaeological theory, it has provided many students with the essential foundation for a complete education in the discipline.
With a focus on clarifying the history and development of archaeological theory, this valuable text serves as a roadmap to the different schools of theory in archaeology, clarifying the foundations of these schools of thought, the relationships between them, and the ideas that distinguish each from the other. Students will also learn about the relationship between archaeology and cultural and political developments, the origins of New and ‘post-processual’ archaeology, and current issues shaping the field. Written in a clear and informal style and incorporating examples, cartoons, and dialogues, this text provides an ideal introduction for students at all levels. The revised third edition has been updated with new and revised chapters and an expanded glossary and bibliography, as well as new readings to guide further study.
Engages readers with informal and easy-to-understand prose, as well as examples, cartoons, and informal dialogues Prepares students to understand complex topics and current and perennial issues in the field such as epistemology, agency, and materiality in the context of archaeological practice Discusses current developments in associated disciplines New and revised chapters on the material turn, politics and other issues, and an expanded glossary and bibliography with updated reading suggestions Offers expanded coverage of materiality, cultural-historical archaeology, evolutionary theory, and the work of scholars of diverse backgrounds and specializations
Engaging and illuminating, Archaeological Theory is an indispensable resource for undergraduate and graduate students in archaeology and related disciplines.
Source: Publisher
Author(s): Matthew Johnson
Edition: 3
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 393
City: Hoboken, NJ
Tags: Archaeological Theory
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
List of Figures
Acknowledgments
Preface: The Contradictions of Theory
Chapter 1 Common Sense is Not Enough
Definitions of Theory
Understanding Theory
Chapter 2 The “New Archaeology”
Culture History
Origins of the New Archaeology
New Archaeology: Key Points
Case Study: The Enigma of the Megaliths
Conclusion
Chapter 3 Archaeology as a Science
Definitions of Science
Positivism
Examples
Objections to “Science”
Kuhn and Feyerabend
Social Constructivism
Chapter 4 Middle-Range Theory, Ethnoarchaeology, and Material Culture Studies
Binford and Middle‐Range Theory
Interpreting the Mousterian
Uniformitarian Assumptions
Case Study: Bones at Olduvai
Middle-Range Theory: Problems
Behavioral Archaeology
Material Culture Studies
Chapter 5 Culture and Process
Culture History
Cultural Systems: Summary
The Idea of Process
Example: Cultural Process around the North Sea
Cultural Process: Strengths
The Context of Cultural Systems
Processual Thinking: Drawbacks
Processual Thinking Modified
Culture, Process, and the Individual
Chapter 6 Thoughts and Ideologies
Looking at Thoughts
Structuralism
Marxism
Ideology
Cognitive Archaeology
Conclusion
Chapter 7 Postprocessual and Interpretative Archaeologies
Postprocessual Archaeology
Case Studies: Rock Art and Medieval Houses
Chapter 8 The Material Turn
Things Are Important
Things Are Complicated
Phenomenology
Objects and Mediation
Objects and Agency
Ecology, Environment, and the Anthropocene
Objects and Entanglement
Assemblages
Actor Network Theory and Symmetrical Archaeology
Criticisms of the Material Turn
Conclusion
Chapter 9 Archaeology, Gender, and Identity
Gender
Bias Correction
Critique of Archaeological Practice
Archaeologies of Gender
Men, Women, and Knowledge
Case Study: What This Awl Means
Archaeologies of Identity
Race and Ethnicity
Queering Archaeology
Archaeologies of Disability
Performativity
Conclusion
Chapter 10 Archaeology and Cultural Evolution
Darwin, Marx, and Spencer
Cultural Evolution
Criticisms of Cultural Evolution
Multilinear Evolution
Cultural Evolution and Marxism
Origins of the State
Case Study: Cahokia
Cultural Evolution Strikes Back
Chapter 11 Archaeology and Darwinian Evolution
Darwin’s Dangerous Idea
Cultural Ecology
Human Behavioral Ecology
Genes and Memes
Co‐Evolutionary Theory
Selectionist Archaeology
Case Study: Art, Handaxes, Population, and Innovation in the Paleolithic
Darwinian Archaeologies: Criticisms
Conclusion
Chapter 12 Archaeology and History
Traditional History
The Annales School
The Linguistic Turn
The Material Turn in History
Medieval and Historical Archaeology
Historical Archaeology and the Text
Case Study: Bodiam Castle
Conclusion
Chapter 13 Archaeology, Politics, and Culture
Case Study: African Burial Ground
Indigenous Archaeologies
“Heritage” and Community Archaeology
The Relativism Question
Chapter 14 Conclusion: The Future of Theory
Where We Are Now
The Fall and Rise of Empiricism
Processual and Postprocessual Archaeologies
Political Economy, the Social, and the Material
Theorizing the Field
Digital Theory
Theory, Truth, and Pragmatism
Where Theory Is Going
Progress and Impact
Diversity and Pluralism
Conclusion
Selective Glossary
Further Reading
Bibliography
Index
EULA
