Handbook of Archaeological Theories

by R. Alexander Bentley, Herbert D. G. Maschner, Christopher Chippindale, Kenneth M. Ames, Alex W. Barker

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:	9780759100336
Publisher:	AltaMira Press
Publication date:	09/16/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	600
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 1.60(d)

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

Introduction: On Archaeological Theories

Research Paradigms
Culture History: A Culture-Historical Approach
Processualism and After
Ecology in Archaeology
Classical
Marxism
Agency
Darwinian Archaeologies
Post-Processual Archaeology and After
Ideas from Neighboring Disciplines
History and Continental Approaches
Latin American Archaeology in History and Practice
Cultural Anthropology and Archaeology: Theoretical Dialogues
Evolutionary Biological Methods and Cultural Data
Archaeology and the Origins of Language Families
Complexity Theory
Research Concerns
Stimulating Society
Mind
Materiality
Ethnicity: Theoretical Approaches, Methodological Implications
Gender
Philosophy in Archaeology
Contexts of Archaeological Study
Cultural Resource Management
Archaeology and Society
Archaeological Ethics in Context and Practice
Towards a Post-Colonial Archaeology of Indigenous Australia
Theory into Practice
Hunters and Gatherers
The Origins and Spread of Agriculture
The Archaeology of Rank
Chiefdoms
The Rise of the State
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

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

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

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.
— May 2008

Choice