Behavioral archeology / Michael Brian Schiffer ; with a new prologue by the author.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Schiffer, Michael B. (Michael Brian), 1947-

Contributor:

George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.

Series:

Foundations of archaeology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Archaeology--Methodology.

Archaeology.

Human behavior--History.

Human behavior.

Ethnoarchaeology.

Indians of North America--Implements.

Pueblo Indians--Implements.

Pueblo Indians.

History.

Joint Site (Ariz.).

Indians of North America--Implements--Arizona.

Indians of North America.

Arizona--Antiquities.

Arizona.

Antiquities.

Physical Description:

xxxii, 222 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm.

Edition:

Percheron Press paperback edition.

Place of Publication:

Clinton Corners, N.Y. : Percheron Press, [2002]

Summary:

Originally published by Academic Press in 1976, this book has become a foundational statement in archaeological methodology and has had a lasting impact on the discipline. As Michael Schiffer writes in his new prologue, the work "played a vital role in establishing as fundamental the behavioral perspective in archaeology." (Must be distinguished from the collection of articles by Schiffer published by University of Utah Press called Behavioral Archaeology: First Principles.)

Contents:

Processual Archeology 2

Behavioral Archeology 4

Information Flow in a Behavioral Archeology 9

2 A Synthetic Model of Archeological Inference 11

The Synthetic Model 12

Acquisition of Archeological Knowledge 17

Testing the Model 18

Using the Synthetic Model 22

3 Cultural Formation Processes 27

Archeological Context and Systemic Context 27

Types of Cultural Formation Processes 28

S-A Processes 30

A-S Processes 34

A-A Processes 36

S-S Processes 37

4 Transformation Models 42

Structures of the Past and Present 42

Transformations 43

Flow Models 46

Behavioral Chains 49

The Pathway Model 53

The Reid Transformation Model 55

5 Quantitative Transformations 58

Preliminary Definitions and Principles 58

The Basic Equation 59

T[subscript D] as a Function of Use Variables 61

Waste Products 63

Process Duration Relationships 63

6 Quantitative and Spatial Transformations 66

Spatial Transformations 67

A Test with Simulated Data 70

7 An Introduction to the Joint Site 79

The Joint Site 80

Excavation Procedures 83

8 General Considerations of Artifact Classification 92

Dimensions of Measurement and Attribute Selection 92

Correlates and Attributes 93

Ordering of Attributes 93

Evaluation of Typology 95

Attribute and Type Definitions 96

Decision Models 96

Discussion of Errors 97

9 Chipped Stone from the Joint Site 99

Problems and Dimensions of Interest 99

Procedure 100

Raw Material 102

Technology and Stage of Manufacture 104

Use-Potential Categories 108

Type and Attribute Definitions, Potential Uses, and Decision Models 111

Recovery Percentages and Misassignment Errors 122

10 Cultural Formation Processes of the Joint Site 129

The Relative Room Abandonment Measure 129

Analytic Units and Provenience Designation 133

Refuse Types at the Joint Site 138

11 Systemic Context of the Joint Site 140

Interpreting Absolute Dates 140

Tree-Ring Dates 143

Radiocarbon Dates 146

Activity Areas 149

Occupational History 152

12 Systemic Context of the Chipped Stone 158

Differential Use of Raw Materials 158

Flow Rates 161

Uselife 166

Explaining Change in Chalcedony Use 168

Activity Locations 178

13 Prospects for a Behavioral Archeology 186.

Notes:

Originally published: New York : Academic Press, c1976. With new introd.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 200-215) and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.

ISBN:

0971242712

OCLC:

49320050