---
title: Archaeological Theory
description: Archaeological theory explores the intellectual frameworks and paradigms used to interpret material culture. Learners will understand how different theoretical approaches, from processual to post-processual archaeology, shape how we reconstruct and explain the human past.
category: humanities
subcategory: archaeology
difficulty: beginner, intermediate, advanced
url: /subject/archaeological-theory
---

# Archaeological Theory

Archaeological theory explores the intellectual frameworks and paradigms used to interpret material culture. Learners will understand how different theoretical approaches, from processual to post-processual archaeology, shape how we reconstruct and explain the human past.

## Available Resources

3 Books • 1 Websites

## Podcasts

### 1. Archaeological Fantasies

**Author:** Sara Head

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.

**Difficulty:** Beginner | **Language:** en-us | **Price:** Free

**Link:** https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/archaeological-fantasies-podcast/id1404691339

**Tags:** pseudoarchaeology, archaeology, scientific-skepticism, public-archaeology

## Books

### 1. Archaeological Theory: An Introduction

**Author:** Matthew Johnson

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.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Paid

**Link:** https://www.amazon.com/dp/063120296X?tag=edmonddante07-20

**Tags:** books, humanities-social-sciences, archeology

### 2. Theory and Practice in Archaeology

**Author:** Ian Hodder

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.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Paid

**Link:** https://www.amazon.com/dp/0415127777?tag=edmonddante07-20

**Tags:** books, humanities-social-sciences, archeology

### 3. Reading the Past

**Author:** 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.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Paid

**Link:** https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521409578?tag=edmonddante07-20

**Tags:** books, humanities-social-sciences, archeology

## Websites

### 1. 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.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Free

**Link:** https://archaeological.org

**Tags:** websites, humanities-social-sciences, anthropology

---

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