Archaeology: The Discipline of Things

By: Michael Shanks and Christopher Witmore and Timothy Webmoor and Bjørnar Olsen

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Synopsis: Archaeology has always been marked by its particular care, obligation, and loyalty to things. While archaeologists may not share similar perspectives or practices, they find common ground in their concern for objects monumental and mundane. This book considers the myriad ways that archaeologists engage with things in order to craft stories, both big and small, concerning our relations with materials and the nature of the past. Literally the "science of old things," archaeology does not discover the past as it was but must work with what remains. Such work involves the tangible mediation of past and present, of people and their cultural fabric, for things cannot be separated from society. Things are us. This book does not set forth a sweeping new theory. It does not seek to transform the discipline of archaeology. Rather, it aims to understand precisely what archaeologists do and to urge practitioners toward a renewed focus on and care for things.

Book Quality:: Publisher Quality
ISBN-13:: 9780520954007
Related ISBNs:: 9780520274167, 9780520274174
Publisher:: University of California Press
Date of Addition:: 04/16/17
Copyrighted By:: University of California Press
Adult content:: No
Language:: English
Has Image Descriptions:: No
Categories:: Nonfiction, Science, Textbooks, Social Studies
Grade Levels:: College Freshman, College Sophomore, College Junior, College Senior, Graduate Student
Submitted By:: Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:: This is a copyrighted book.