Overview

There has been a profound shift in the direction of archaeological activity in the last fifteen years, a change reflected in this volume. While excavation remains a professional priority, the interpretation of archaeological evidence is now attracting increasing critical study. In part this stems from the public demand for explanation of archaeological evidence, which moves beyond the more restricted academic debate among archaeologists. But it also follows from a desire among archaeologists to come to terms with their own subjective approaches to the material they study, and a recognition of how past researchers have also imposed their own value systems on the evidence which they presented. This volume provides a forum for debate between varied approaches to the past. The authors, drawn from Europe, North America, Aisa and Australasia, represent many different strands of archaeology. It addresses the philosophical issues involved in interpretation, and the origins of meaning in the evolution and emergence of 'mind' in early hominids. It covers the ways in which material culture is understood, and presented in museums, and how the nature of history is itself in flux. Maurice Bloch London School of Economics and Political Science, Alexandra Alexandri University of Cambridge, Victor Buchli University of Cambridge, John Carman University of Ca

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9780415073301

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'The quality of the papers is high and represents an up-to-date coverage of the many prominent issues with which archaeology is coming to grips. Interpretating Archaeology is a salient and timely production and would be an ideal acquisition for students. So, as Whitley indirectly cautions all readers, peruse the whole book; your understanding of current Anglo-American theoretical archaeology will be considerably advanced. ' - ARC ' Interpreting Archaeology is a salient and timely production and would be an ideal acquisition for students.' - Archaeological Review, Cambridge

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Alexandra Alexandri, Victor Buchli, John Carman, Ian Odder, Jonathan Last, Gavin Lucas, Michael Shanks

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