Understanding the archaeological record / Gavin Lucas.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lucas, Gavin, 1965-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Archaeology--Philosophy.

Archaeology.

Archaeology--Methodology.

History--Sources.

History.

Ontology.

Antiquities.

Material culture.

Social archaeology.

Physical Description:

xiv, 306 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2012.

Summary:

"This book explores the diverse understandings of the archaeological record in both historical and contemporary perspective, while also serving as a guide to reassessing current views. Gavin Lucas argues that archaeological theory has become both too fragmented and disconnected from the particular nature of archaeological evidence. The book examines three ways of understanding the archaeological record - as historical sources, through formation theory, and as material culture - then reveals ways to connect these three domains through a reconsideration of archaeological entities and archaeological practice. Ultimately, Lucas calls for a rethinking of the nature of the archaeological record and the kind of history and narratives written from it"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: 1. The trouble with theory; 2. The total record; 3. Formation theory; 4. Materialized culture; 5. Archaeological entities; 6. Archaeological interventions; 7. A 'new' social archaeology?

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781107010260

1107010268

9780521279697

0521279690

OCLC:

747331911