A critique of archaeological reason : structural, digital, and philosophical aspects of the excavated record

In 'A Critique of Archaeological Reason', Giorgio Buccellati presents a theory of excavation that aims at clarifying the nature of archaeology and its impact on contemporary thought. Integrating epistemological issues with methods of data collection and the role and impact of digital technology on archaeological work, the book explores digital data in order to comprehend its role in shaping meaning and understanding in archaeological excavation. The ability of archaeologists to record in the field, rather than offsite, has fundamentally changed the methods of observation, conceptualization, and interpretation of deposits. Focusing on the role of stratigraphy as the center of archaeological field work, Giorgio Buccellati examines the challenges of interpreting a 'broken tradition'; a civilization for which there are no living carriers today. He uses the site of Urkesh in Syria, where he has worked for decades, as a case study to demonstrate his theory. The Inquiry Into The Nature Of Archaeology And Its Theoretical Presuppositions Leads To Unexpected Results. The Question About Its Nature Is A Question About Distinctiveness: What Is Unique About The Discipline That Sets It Apart From The Others? The Question About Theoretical Presuppositions Relates To The Conditions That Make This Distinctiveness Possible: What Is The Frame Of Reference Within Which Such Uniqueness Can Best Be Understood? Unexpected Results Emerge When One Sees Archaeological Reason Emerge As An Independent Dimension Of Human Reason And Become A Mode Of Thought. As Such, It Affects The Way In Which We View Reality, So That The Theoretical Presuppositions Loom Even Larger, And Require A Correspondingly Fuller Elaboration-- Introduction -- Part One. Fundamentals -- Archaeology And Grammar -- Categorization -- The Search For Objectivity -- Part Two. Analysis -- Stratigraphic Analysis -- Typological Analysis -- Integrative Analysis -- Part Three. The Reassembled Construct -- The Invention Of A Site -- The Physical Record -- The Referential Record -- Part Four. The Privileged Venue -- Digital Thought -- Digital Text -- The Archaeological Record -- Part Five. The Wider Frame -- The Relevance Of Structure -- The Critical Approach -- Hermeneutics -- Conclusion. Giorgio Buccellati. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "The inquiry into the nature of archaeology and its theoretical presuppositions leads to unexpected results. The question about its nature is a question about distinctiveness: what is unique about the discipline that sets it apart from the others? The question about theoretical presuppositions relates to the conditions that make this distinctiveness possible: what is the frame of reference within which such uniqueness can best be understood? Unexpected results emerge when one sees archaeological reason emerge as an independent dimension of human reason and become a mode of thought. As such, it affects the way in which we view reality, so that the theoretical presuppositions loom even larger, and require a correspondingly fuller elaboration"-- Provided by publisher "The inquiry into the nature of archaeology and its theoretical presuppositions leads to unexpected results. The question about its nature is a question about distinctiveness: what is unique about the discipline that sets it apart from the others? The question about theoretical presuppositions relates to the conditions that make this distinctiveness possible: what is the frame of reference within which such uniqueness can best be understood? Unexpected results emerge when one sees archaeological reason emerge as an independent dimension of human reason and become a mode of thought. As such, it affects the way in which we view reality, so that the theoretical presuppositions loom even larger, and require a correspondingly fuller elaboration"--Fourni par l'éditeur