Handbook of Archaeological Theories

This handbook gathers original, authoritative articles from leading archaeologists to compile the latest thinking about archaeological theory. The authors provide a comprehensive picture of the theoretical foundations by which archaeologists contextualize and analyze their archaeological data. Student readers will also gain a sense of the immense power that theory has for building interpretations of the past, while recognizing the wonderful archaeological traditions that created it. An extensive bibliography is included. This volume is the single most important reference for current information on contemporary archaeological theories. Introduction : on archeaological theories / R. Alexander Bentley and Herbert D.G. Maschner Culture history : a culture-historical approach / Gary S. Webster Processualism and after / Patty Jo Watson Ecology in archaeology / David R. Yesner Classical art and the grand tour / David W.J. Gill Marxism / Randall H. McGuire Agency / Andrew Gardner Darwinian archaeologies / R. Alexander Bentley ... [et al.] Post-processual archaeology and after / Michael Shanks History and continental approaches / John Bintliff Latin American archaeology in history and practice / Tom D. Dillehay Cultural anthropology and archaeology : theoretical dialogues / Timothy Earle Evolutionary biological methods and cultural data / Mark Collard ... [et al.] Archaeology and the origins of language families / Peter Bellwood Complexity theory / R. Alexander Bentley and Herbert D.G. Maschner Simulating society / Andre Costopolous Mind / Liana Gabora Materiality / Timothy Taylor Ethnicity : theoretical approaches, methodological implications / Siân Jones Gender / Kelley Ann Hays-Gilpin Philosophy in archaeology / Stephanie Koerner and Steven Price Cultural resource management / Thomas J. Green Archaeology and society / Gillian Wallace Archaeological ethics in context and practice / Don D. Fowler, Edward A. Jolie, and Marion W. Salter Toward a postcolonial archaeology of indigenous Australia / Ian J. McNiven and Lynette Russell Hunters and gatherers / Peter Jordan The origins and spread of agriculture / Mark Pluciennuk and Marek Zvelebil The archaeology of rank / Kenneth M. Ames Chiefdoms / Alex W. Barker The rise of the state / Reinhard Bernbeck Religion / David S. Whitley. This handbook, a companion to the authoritative Handbook of Archaeological Methods, gathers original, authoritative articles from leading archaeologists on all aspects of the latest thinking about archaeological theory. It is the definitive resource for understanding how to think about archaeology.