Essential Tensions in Archaeological Method and Theory

Description

Editors: Van Pool, Todd L. and Van Pool, Christine S.

Publisher: University of Utah Press

Pub Date: 2003

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Fair.  Binding tight.  No tears, bends or folds.  Previous owner’s name and mark on upper corner title page, near spine head. Without dust jacket, as issued.  One bump to lower rear board.  ISBN tag attached to lower rear cover (incorrect ISBN).  Some smudging to spine foot.  Edge and corner wear.

Notes: “First, archaeology is, or at least potentially could be, the study of past history, economics, sociology, psychology, medicine, art, music, religion, linguistics, engineering, mathematics, astronomy, geography, human biology, botany, philosophy, agricultural science, and anthropology as reflected by material culture.  Given than any of these problem domains can potentially and reasonably be addressed in archaeological contexts, it is unrealistic to expect any one theoretical structure to be able to address them all.  Archaeologists arguing for theoretical exclusivity are effectively insisting that we develop a ‘grand unifying theory’ for human behavior, a task that few would suggest we can accomplish with modern people, let alone with people we can’t even talk to.”  (From the Introduction)