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

This book defines the concept of 'archaeological reason', and provides a new approach to archaeological excavations, philosophical hermeneutics, and digital theory.

Giorgio Buccellati (Author)

9781107046535, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 24 April 2017

408 pages, 26 b/w illus. 4 tables
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.4 cm, 0.78 kg

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

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Archaeological science, methodology & techniques [HDW], Archaeological theory [HDA], Archaeology [HD]