Synopses & Reviews
This brief, inexpensive introduction to the techniques, methods, and theoretical frameworks of contemporary archaeology follows the same organizing principle as the text Archaeology: Discovering Our Past but features less detail. Archaeological methods and theory are covered comprehensively--at a reasonable level of detail--in under 300 pages. Illustrative examples and case studies present a temporal and geographic balance of both Old and New World sites. Abundant student aids include maps of archaeological areas, extensive illustrations, chapter introductions and summaries, a guide to further reading at the end of each chapter, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. IntroductionArchaeologists and ArchaeologyArchaeology as a ScienceArchaeology and HistoryArchaeology and AnthropologyArchaeology as a ProfessionSummaryFor Further Reading Virtual Explorations Chapter 2. Archaeologys PastThe Origins of ArchaeologyThe Emergence of Modern ArchaeologySummaryFor Further ReadingVirtual Explorations Chapter 3. Contemporary Approaches to ArchaeologyCulture HistoryCulture Process Emmergent ApproachesSummaryFor Further ReadingVirtual Explorations Chapter 4. How Archaeology WorksArchaeological DataArtifacts • Features • Ecofacts • Sites • RegionsDeposition and TransformationResearch DesignData Sampling • Research StagesArchaeological Research ProjectsSummary For Further ReadingVirtual Explorations Chapter 5. FieldworkArchaeological SurveyDiscovering Archaeological Sites • Methods of Discovery • Locating Archaeological Sites • Site Survey ExcavationStratigraphy •Excavation Methods • Provenience Control • Recording Archaeological DataData ProcessingClassificationSummaryFor Further ReadingVirtual Explorations Chapter 6. Analyzing the PastArtifactsLithic Artifacts • Ceramic Artifacts • Metal Artifacts • Organic ArtifactsEcofactsFloral Ecofacts • Faunal Ecofacts • Human Remains • FeaturesConstructed Features • Cumulative FeaturesSummaryFor Further ReadingVirtual Explorations Chapter 7. Dating the PastSeriationStylistic Seriation • Frequency SeriationSequence ComparisonStratigraphyGeochronologyObsidian HydrationFloral and Faunal MethodsDendrochronology • Bone ChemistryRadiometric MethodsRadiocarbon • Potassium-Argon • Argon-Argon • Uranium Series • Fission-TrackArchaeomagnetismLimited and Experimental MethodsSummaryFor Further ReadingVirtual Explorations Chapter 8. Reconstructing the PastAnalogyAbuse of Analogy • Specific and General Analogy • Sources of AnalogsIdentifying Activities in SpaceTechnology • Social Systems • Ideological SystemsSummaryFor Further ReadingVirtual Explorations Chapter 9. Understanding the PastCultural History InterpretationProcessual InterpretationPostprocessual and Emergent InterpretationsUnderstanding the Past from Multiple ApproachesAgriculture and Cultural History • Agriculture and Cultural Process • Agriculture and Postprocessualism • Combining ApproachesSummaryFor Further ReadingVirtual Explorations Chapter 10. Archaeology TodayLooting and Antiquities CollectingDestruction in the Name of ProgressCultural Resource ManagementEffects of Nationalism, Colonialism, and WarWorking with Descendant CommunitiesThe Responsibilities of ArchaeologySummaryFor Further ReadingVirtual Explorations GlossaryBibliographyIndex