Archaeology and its Discontents

Why Archaeology Matters

John C. Barrett (University of Sheffield)

$79.99

Paperback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Routledge
31 March 2021

Archaeological theory

Series: Themes in Archaeology Series

Archaeology and its Discontents examines the state of archaeology today and its development throughout the twentieth century, making a powerful case for new approaches.

Surveying the themes of twentieth-century archaeological theory, Barrett looks at their successes, limitations, and failures. Seeing more failures and limitations than successes, he argues that archaeology has over-focused on explaining the human construction of material variability and should instead be more concerned with understanding how human diversity has been constructed. Archaeology matters, he argues, precisely because of the insights it can offer into the development of human diversity. The analysis and argument are illustrated throughout by reference to the development of the European Neolithic.

Arguing both for new approaches and for the importance of archaeology as a discipline, Archaeology and its Discontents is for archaeologists at all levels, from student to professor and trainee to experienced practitioner.

By: John C. Barrett (University of Sheffield)
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
Weight: 700g
ISBN: 9780367556457
ISBN 10: 0367556456
Series: Themes in Archaeology Series
Pages: 180
Publication Date: 31 March 2021
Audience: College/higher education , General/trade , Primary , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Introduction 1. Explanation and understanding 2. The archaeological record 3. Systems and the dynamics of historical change: The New Archaeology 4. A Social Archaeology 5. From functionalism to a symbolic and structural archaeology 6. The evolution of ecosystems 7. The making of populations 8. The cultures of life Epilogue

John C. Barrett is Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at the University of Sheffield, having previously taught at the Universities of Leeds and Glasgow. He is the author of Fragments from Antiquity (1994) and co-author, with Michael Boyd, of From Stonehenge to Mycenae (2019). His research has focused upon British and European prehistory and archaeological theory.

Reviews for Archaeology and its Discontents: Why Archaeology Matters

"""Archaeology and Its Discontents is a challenging, and immensely stimulating read."" - Mike Pitts, British Archaeology ""Archaeology and Its Discontents is a book I cannot praise enough; it should be required reading for all archaeologist, and not just those interested in prehistory."" - Stratos Nanoglou, American Journal of Archaeology ""Archaeology and Its Discontents is a valuable contribution to debating the histories of archaeological philosophies and for understanding the field’s relevance to ecological humanities."" - Stephanie Koerner, Antiquity"