Skip to content
Register Sign in Wishlist

A Critique of Archaeological Reason
Structural, Digital, and Philosophical Aspects of the Excavated Record

Award Winner
  • Date Published: April 2017
  • availability: In stock
  • format: Paperback
  • isbn: 9781107665484

Paperback

Add to wishlist

Other available formats:
Hardback, eBook


Looking for an inspection copy?

This title is not currently available on inspection

Description
Product filter button
Description
Contents
Resources
Courses
About the Authors
  • In A Critique of Archaeological Reason, Giorgio Buccellati presents a theory of excavation that aims at clarifying the nature of archaeology and its impact on contemporary thought. Integrating epistemological issues with methods of data collection and the role and impact of digital technology on archaeological work, the book explores digital data in order to comprehend its role in shaping meaning and understanding in archaeological excavation. The ability of archaeologists to record in the field, rather than offsite, has fundamentally changed the methods of observation, conceptualization, and interpretation of deposits. Focusing on the role of stratigraphy as the center of archaeological field work, Giorgio Buccellati examines the challenges of interpreting a 'broken tradition'; a civilization for which there are no living carriers today. He uses the site of Urkesh in Syria, where he has worked for decades, as a case study to demonstrate his theory.

    • Deals with the intellectual dimension of archaeological excavation, placing field archaeology on solid theoretical grounds
    • Establishes the new concept of archaeological reason, giving fresh understanding of philosophical hermeneutics
    • Presents a theory of excavation that highlights the role and impact of digital technology on archaeological work
    Read more

    Awards

    • Winner, 2021 Balzan Prize for Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East, International Balzan Prize Foundation

    Customer reviews

    Not yet reviewed

    Be the first to review

    Review was not posted due to profanity

    ×

    , create a review

    (If you're not , sign out)

    Please enter the right captcha value
    Please enter a star rating.
    Your review must be a minimum of 12 words.

    How do you rate this item?

    ×

    Product details

    • Date Published: April 2017
    • format: Paperback
    • isbn: 9781107665484
    • length: 408 pages
    • dimensions: 228 x 151 x 18 mm
    • weight: 0.65kg
    • contains: 26 b/w illus. 4 tables
    • availability: In stock
  • Table of Contents

    1. Introduction
    Part I. Fundamentals:
    2. Archaeology and grammar
    3. Categorization
    4. The search for objectivity
    Part II. Analysis:
    5. Stratigraphic analysis
    6. Typological analysis
    7. Integrative analysis
    Part III. The Reassembled Construct:
    8. The invention of a site
    9. The physical record
    10. The referential record
    Part IV. The Privileged Venue:
    11. Digital thought
    12. Digital text
    13. The archaeological record
    Part V. The Wider Frame:
    14. The relevance of structure
    15. The critical approach
    16. Hermeneutics
    17. Conclusion.

  • Author

    Giorgio Buccellati, University of California, Los Angeles
    Giorgio Buccellati is Research Professor at the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Professor Emeritus at the Departments of Near Eastern Languages and of History, UCLA, and Director of the Mesopotamian Lab, UCLA Cotsen Institute of Archaeology and The International Institute for Mesopotamian Area Studies, California. His intensive field work has included being Co-Director of the excavations at Korucutepe in Turkey, Director of the excavations at Terqa in Syria, and Co-Director of the excavations at Urkesh in Syria.

    Awards

    • Winner, 2021 Balzan Prize for Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East, International Balzan Prize Foundation

Related Books

Sorry, this resource is locked

Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email lecturers@cambridge.org

Register Sign in
Please note that this file is password protected. You will be asked to input your password on the next screen.

» Proceed

You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.

Continue ×

Continue ×

Continue ×
warning icon

Turn stock notifications on?

You must be signed in to your Cambridge account to turn product stock notifications on or off.

Sign in Create a Cambridge account arrow icon
×

Find content that relates to you

Join us online

This site uses cookies to improve your experience. Read more Close

Are you sure you want to delete your account?

This cannot be undone.

Cancel

Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.

If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.

×
Please fill in the required fields in your feedback submission.
×