Handbook of Archaeological Theories

by R. Alexander Bentley (Editor), Herbert D. G. Maschner (Editor), Christopher Chippindale (Editor)

Overview

This handbook gathers original, authoritative articles from leading archaeologists to compile the latest thinking about archaeological theory. The authors provide a comprehensive picture of the theoretical foundations by which archaeologists contextualize and analyze their archaeological data. Student readers will also gain a sense of the immense power that theory has for building interpretations of the past, while recognizing the wonderful archaeological traditions that created it. An extensive bibliography is included. This volume is the single most important reference for current information on contemporary archaeological theories.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780759113602
Publisher:	AltaMira Press
Publication date:	11/09/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	600
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

R. Alexander Bentley is assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology, Durham University, England. Herbert D. G. Maschner is professor of anthropology at Idaho State University, and the co-editor (with Christopher Chippindale) of the Handbook of Archaeological Methods (AltaMira Press 2005). Christopher Chippindale is research professor in archaeology at Cambridge University, curator for British collections at the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology&Anthropology, and a former editor of the journal Antiquity.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction: On Archaeological Theories
Chapter 2 Research Paradigms
Chapter 3 Culture History: A Culture-Historical Approach
Chapter 4 Processualism and After
Chapter 5 Ecology in Archaeology
Chapter 6 Classical
Chapter 7 Marxism
Chapter 8 Agency
Chapter 9 Darwinian Archaeologies
Chapter 10 Post-Processual Archaeology and After
Chapter 11 Ideas from Neighboring Disciplines
Chapter 12 History and Continental Approaches
Chapter 13 Latin American Archaeology in History and Practice
Chapter 14 Cultural Anthropology and Archaeology: Theoretical Dialogues
Chapter 15 Evolutionary Biological Methods and Cultural Data
Chapter 16 Archaeology and the Origins of Language Families
Chapter 17 Complexity Theory
Chapter 18 Research Concerns
Chapter 19 Stimulating Society
Chapter 20 Mind
Chapter 21 Materiality
Chapter 22 Ethnicity: Theoretical Approaches, Methodological Implications
Chapter 23 Gender
Chapter 24 Philosophy in Archaeology
Chapter 25 Contexts of Archaeological Study
Chapter 26 Cultural Resource Management
Chapter 27 Archaeology and Society
Chapter 28 Archaeological Ethics in Context and Practice
Chapter 29 Towards a Post-Colonial Archaeology of Indigenous Australia
Chapter 30 Theory into Practice
Chapter 31 Hunters and Gatherers
Chapter 32 The Origins and Spread of Agriculture
Chapter 33 The Archaeology of Rank
Chapter 34 Chiefdoms
Chapter 35 The Rise of the State
Chapter 36 Religion

Editorial Reviews

One thing that stands out about theory in today's archaeology is its incredible diversity. Nowhere is this diversity better treated than in this superbly edited collection that succeeds in doing what no other reference work has so far achieved: readers now have one source for comprehensive, authoritative, and practical discussions of the major theoretical perspectives in contemporary archaeology. The contributors are all well-known and respected experts from both North America and Europe. Following a useful introduction, the remaining 30 chapters are grouped into 5 parts: 'Research Paradigms,' 'Ideas from Neighboring Disciplines,' 'Research Concerns,' 'Contexts of Archaeological Study,' and 'Theory into Practice.'. .. Each chapter ends with a comprehensive bibliography, and the book concludes with a very helpful index. Although advanced undergraduate students will find this volume both useful and challenging, it will be of even greater value to graduate students and experienced scholars.. .. Essential. All academic libraries supporting instruction and research in archaeology.

Choice Reviews - .

The Handbook of Archaeological Theories is a book that should be in every library as the default guide for the latest archaeological theory. The great majority of the chapters are well written by archaeologists, anthropologists and other scholars who were either the original architects of, or are currently engaged in, refitting and renovating archaeological theory.

Diplo: Towards more inclusive and effective diplomacy

One thing that stands out about theory in today's archaeology is its incredible diversity. Nowhere is this diversity better treated than in this superbly edited collection that succeeds in doing what no other reference work has so far achieved: readers now have one source for comprehensive, authoritative, and practical discussions of the major theoretical perspectives in contemporary archaeology. The contributors are all well-known and respected experts from both North America and Europe. Following a useful introduction, the remaining 30 chapters are grouped into 5 parts: 'Research Paradigms, ' 'Ideas from Neighboring Disciplines, ' 'Research Concerns, ' 'Contexts of Archaeological Study, ' and 'Theory into Practice.' . . . Each chapter ends with a comprehensive bibliography, and the book concludes with a very helpful index. Although advanced undergraduate students will find this volume both useful and challenging, it will be of even greater value to graduate students and experienced scholars. . . . Essential. All academic libraries supporting instruction and research in archaeology.--. "Choice Reviews"

The Handbook of Archaeological Theories is a book that should be in every library as the default guide for the latest archaeological theory. The great majority of the chapters are well written by archaeologists, anthropologists and other scholars who were either the original architects of, or are currently engaged in, refitting and renovating archaeological theory.-- "Diplo: Towards more inclusive and effective diplomacy"

From the Publisher

The Handbook of Archaeological Theories is a book that should be in every library as the default guide for the latest archaeological theory. The great majority of the chapters are well written by archaeologists, anthropologists and other scholars who were either the original architects of, or are currently engaged in, refitting and renovating archaeological theory.

December 2009 Diplo: Towards more inclusive and effective diplomacy