Archaeological Thinking
How to Make Sense of the Past
2nd Edition
Published on 18. July 2023
196 pages
978-1-5381-7724-2 (ISBN)
Description
How do archaeologists think? How do archaeologists take the scattered and fragmentary remains collected from past settlements and create meaningful, reasonable interpretations of past human history? In the second edition of Archaeological Thinking, Charles E. Orser, Jr. provides answers to these questions and more by explaining in non-technical language the most basic elements of critical thinking in archaeology.
This book explores and explains such topics as the use of logic in framing arguments, the curious issue of fact selection, the use of analogies, the role of archaeology in contemporary society and among present-day communities, approaches to understanding the past, and the dangers of deceitful archaeological thinking.
Examples taken from the world of ancient aliens, mythical sunken cities, and mysterious creatures help readers learn how to separate reality from fiction regardless of their desire to become a professional archaeologist.
This book explores and explains such topics as the use of logic in framing arguments, the curious issue of fact selection, the use of analogies, the role of archaeology in contemporary society and among present-day communities, approaches to understanding the past, and the dangers of deceitful archaeological thinking.
Examples taken from the world of ancient aliens, mythical sunken cities, and mysterious creatures help readers learn how to separate reality from fiction regardless of their desire to become a professional archaeologist.
More details
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Illustrations
25 b/w photos; 3 tables
ISBN-13
978-1-5381-7724-2 (9781538177242)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
08/2023
2nd Edition
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
€93.80
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Book
07/2023
2nd Edition
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
€39.30
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
Charles E. Orser, Jr. is an anthropological archaeologist who investigates the modern world as it was created after about 1492. A retired Distinguished Professor at Illinois State University, he is now affiliated with the School of Human Evolution and Social Change at Arizona State University. He is the author of one hundred professional articles and several books and is the founder and editor of the International Journal of Historical Archaeology.
Content
Preface
Chapter 1. Thinking in Archaeology
A Question of Belief?
Science and History
Thinking to Some Purpose
The Process of Clear Thinking
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 2. A Brief History of Archaeological Thinking
The Early Years
The Middle Years
The Recent Years
Seriation
The Conjunctive Approach
Postmodern Thinking
Archaeological Thinking in the New Millennium
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 3. Archaeology and the Evaluation of Claims
SEARCHing
Step 1: State the Claim
Step 2: Examine the Evidence
Step 3: Consider Alternative Claims
Step 4: Rate each Claim
Plausibility
The Exeter Mystery
The On-Going Battle Between Evidence and Perspective
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 4. Understanding and Selecting Facts
Fact Selection
Is Fact Selection Dishonest?
Clovis Points
Glass Trade Beads
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 5. Archaeological Thinking and Logic
The Importance of Logical Thinking
Deduction
Induction
Abduction
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 6. Analogy and Archaeological Thinking
Archaeologists and Analogy
Artifact Analogies
Ethnographic Analogies
The Direct Historical Approach
More Recent Comparative Ethnographic Analogy
Evaluating Analogy Strength
What Is the Purpose of Analogy in Archaeology?
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 7. Thinking with Things
A Cultural Systems Approach
A Behavioral Approach
A Commodities Approach
A Semiotics Approach
A Social Activism Approach
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 8. Deceitful Archaeological Thinking
Great Zimbabwe and Silencing the African Past
Pseudo-archaeology in Nazi Hands
The Dangers of Deceitful Archaeological Thinking
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 9. Archaeological Thinking in Public
Bones of Contention
The Cheyenne Outbreak of 1879
Timbuctoo, New Jersey
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 10. Archaeological Thinking for the Twenty-First Century
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 1. Thinking in Archaeology
A Question of Belief?
Science and History
Thinking to Some Purpose
The Process of Clear Thinking
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 2. A Brief History of Archaeological Thinking
The Early Years
The Middle Years
The Recent Years
Seriation
The Conjunctive Approach
Postmodern Thinking
Archaeological Thinking in the New Millennium
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 3. Archaeology and the Evaluation of Claims
SEARCHing
Step 1: State the Claim
Step 2: Examine the Evidence
Step 3: Consider Alternative Claims
Step 4: Rate each Claim
Plausibility
The Exeter Mystery
The On-Going Battle Between Evidence and Perspective
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 4. Understanding and Selecting Facts
Fact Selection
Is Fact Selection Dishonest?
Clovis Points
Glass Trade Beads
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 5. Archaeological Thinking and Logic
The Importance of Logical Thinking
Deduction
Induction
Abduction
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 6. Analogy and Archaeological Thinking
Archaeologists and Analogy
Artifact Analogies
Ethnographic Analogies
The Direct Historical Approach
More Recent Comparative Ethnographic Analogy
Evaluating Analogy Strength
What Is the Purpose of Analogy in Archaeology?
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 7. Thinking with Things
A Cultural Systems Approach
A Behavioral Approach
A Commodities Approach
A Semiotics Approach
A Social Activism Approach
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 8. Deceitful Archaeological Thinking
Great Zimbabwe and Silencing the African Past
Pseudo-archaeology in Nazi Hands
The Dangers of Deceitful Archaeological Thinking
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 9. Archaeological Thinking in Public
Bones of Contention
The Cheyenne Outbreak of 1879
Timbuctoo, New Jersey
Sources for Continued Reading
Chapter 10. Archaeological Thinking for the Twenty-First Century
Sources for Continued Reading
