Ethnoarchaeology in Action

This comprehensive study of ethnoarchaeology includes theory, practical advice regarding fieldwork, and topical coverage.

Nicholas David (Author), Carol Kramer (Author)

9780521667791, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 26 July 2001

508 pages, 96 b/w illus. 3 maps
24.4 x 17 x 2.6 cm, 0.84 kg

"This volume, coauthored by two authorities on ethnoarchaeology, is likely to be a reference work for many archaeologists hoping to stay abreast of developments within the subdiscipline. Crisply written...." Choice

Ethnoarchaeology first developed as the study of ethnographic material culture from archaeological perspectives. Over the past half century it has expanded its scope, especially to cultural and social anthropology. Both authors are leading practitioners, and their theoretical perspective embraces both the processualism of the New Archaeology and the post-processualism of the 1980s and 90s. A case-study approach enables a balanced global geographic and topical coverage, including consideration of materials in French and German. Three introductory chapters discuss the subject and its history, survey the theory, and discuss field methods and ethics. Ten topical chapters consider formation processes, subsistence, the study of artefacts and style, settlement systems, site structure and architecture, specialist craft production, trade and exchange, and mortuary practices and ideology. Ethnoarchaeology in Action concludes with ethnoarchaeology's contributions actual and potential, and with a look at its place within anthropology. It is generously illustrated, including many photographs of leading ethnoarchaeologists in action.

List of figures and credits
List of tables
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Ethnoarchaeology: its nature, origins, and history
2. Theorizing ethnoarchaeology and analogy
3. Fieldwork and ethics
4. Human residues: entering the archaeological context
5. Fauna and subsistence
6. Studying artifacts: functions, operating sequences, taxonomy
7. Style and the marking of boundaries: contrasting regional studies
8. Settlement: systems and patterns: 9. Site structures and activities
10. Architecture
11. Specialist craft production and apprenticeship
12. Trade and exchange
13. Mortuary practices, status, ideology, and systems of thought
14. Conclusions: ethnoarchaeology in context
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC], Archaeology [HD]