Reading the Past
by Ian Hodder · Ian Hodder
Ian Hodder's survey of approaches to interpretation in archaeology, critiquing processual, Marxist and structuralist frameworks and making the case for contextual, historically informed readings of material culture. Useful for understanding how archaeologists argue about meaning in the record.
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More resources on Archaeological Theory
archaeological.org
The Archaeological Institute of America’s website offers archaeology news and feature articles (from Archaeology Magazine), plus teaching resources, fieldwork updates, and professional opportunities such as grants, fellowships, and events.
Archaeological Fantasies
Long-running podcast in which archaeologist Sara Head and guest experts critically examine pseudoarchaeological claims such as ancient aliens, pre-Columbian transoceanic contact and Vikings in America. Listeners learn how archaeological evidence and scientific reasoning are used to test extraordinary claims about the past.
Archaeological Theory: An Introduction
Matthew Johnson's introductory textbook tracing archaeological thought from culture history through the New Archaeology to post-processual, Marxist, feminist and gender approaches. Readers learn the main theoretical positions, the debates between them, and how theory shapes the interpretation of archaeological evidence.
Theory and Practice in Archaeology
Collection of Ian Hodder's essays tracing the development of post-processual archaeology, covering interpretation, symbolism, agency and the social context of archaeological knowledge. Readers come away able to follow the core arguments against processual, positivist approaches to the past.