Reading the Past
Reading the Past
The third edition of this classic introduction to archaeological theory and method has been fully updated to address the rapid development of theoretical debate throughout the discipline. Ian Hodder and Scott Hutson argue that archaeologists must consider a variety of perspectives in the complex and uncertain task of "translating the meaning of past texts into their own contemporary language". While remaining centered on the importance of meaning, agency and history, the authors explore the latest developments in post-structuralism, neo-evolutionary theory and phenomenology.
Previous Edition Hb (1991): 0-521-40142-9
Previous Edition Pb (1991): 0-521-40957-8
- Written by one of the world's most influential archaeologists
- Concise and accessible introduction to archaeological theory
- On the cutting edge of contemporary developments in archaeological theory
Reviews & endorsements
"...must be read by all those who would perform as well as critique post-processual archaeology, for it will provide powerful stimuli for a necessary dialogue within archaeology." American Anthropologist
Product details
February 2005Adobe eBook Reader
9780511075407
0 pages
0kg
15 b/w illus.
This ISBN is for an eBook version which is distributed on our behalf by a third party.
Table of Contents
- Preface to the third edition
- 1. The problem
- 2. Processual and systems approaches
- 3. Structuralist, post-structuralist and semiotic archaeologies
- 4. Marxism and ideology
- 5. Agency and practice
- 6. Embodied archaeology
- 7. Archaeology and history
- 8. Contextual archaeology
- 9. Post-processual archaeology
- 10. Conclusion: archaeology as archaeology
- Bibliography
- Index.
