Archaeological Theory [Paperback]

Matthew Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 1999 | ISBN-10: 063120296X | ISBN-13: 978-0631202967 | Edition: 1

This is a lively overview of the major ideas and concepts in archaeological theory.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Johnson does not simply give an excellent introduction to the labyrinth of -isms that comprise contemporary archaeological theory. He also frames each competing theoretical strand in its historical context...Matthew Johnson has written a seminal textbook that is destined to become a classic and should become required reading for anyone wanting to become an archaeologist." American Journal of Archaeology. <!--end-->

"A very good introduction...It is written in an accessible, engaging style." Archaeology Ireland.

"Archaeological theory today consists of a bewildering variety of positions and perspectives, subtly interacting and ever changing. Mathew Johnson sheds considerable light on this complex landscape in his valuable new book Archaeological Theory: An Introduction. Written in an engaging and accessible manner, it provides an excellent account of the linkages between theory, practice, and intellectual context as it ranges from the origins of the New Archaeology to the emergence of contemporary positions such as feminism, poststructuralism, and phenomenology. I recommend it highly to students and colleagues alike." Robert W. Preucel, Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania.

"A genuinely accessible and lively 'route map' to the developments in theory since the 'New Archaeology' of the early 1960s ... This is a theoretical textbook that is a pleasure to read." Post-Medieval Archaeology.

From the Back Cover

Archaeological Theory: An Introduction is a book that has been needed for the last twenty years. It is an accessible, lively account of current thinking in archaeology.

Taking a historical approach and using clear and jargon-free language, the book examines the roots of current debates in the development of archaeology over the last thirty years. Mathew Johnson discusses different ways of approaching the Human Past, ranging from positivism to Postmodernism. He conveys to students that theory is important and can be exciting and stimulating. He reveals the historical origins of different schools of thought and sets theories against the practical problems they are intended to solve, as well as against wider developments in other disciplines.

The book discusses what the new Archaeology meant and means, what the differences are between processual and post processual archaeology, what cognitive archaeology is or might be, and addresses politics, gender and evolution within archaeological theory. The author outlines the social and political context of different intellectual tends and provides a route map to a complex and much debated area of the subject.

This introduction will be invaluable not only to students encountering archaeology for the first time, but also to archaeologists of all areas and periods needing a lucid and concise guide to current thinking and terminology.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (November 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 063120296X
• ISBN-13: 978-0631202967
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #868,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Official: Theory can be FUN!, April 27, 2007

By 

Anissa-lee Lato "=^-.-^=" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Archaeological Theory (Paperback)

This textbook is THE ideal introduction to archaeological theory: a subject which at first can seem both terribly daunting to newcomers to the discipline of archaeology, and mind-numbingly tedious to fieldwork specialists.
It's a delightfully readable, down-to-earth (and often highly amusing) journey through the changes in the thought behind archaeological interpretation since the New Archaeology of the early 1960s, and an absolute MUST for any Archaeology undergraduate student. The book also contains many references to highly useful and easily accessible case studies, a sensible glossary to cut through the academic jargon often encountered in these case studies, and plenty of entertaining illustrations to keep a reader's attention.
There aren't many theoretical textbooks available that one could read for the sheer fun of it, but Johnson's 'Archaeological Theory' is a rare gem and is therefore entirely deserving of the highest recommendation.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Considering Archaeological Theory, June 20, 2006

By 

David T. Hughes (Kansas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Archaeological Theory (Paperback)

Johnson's work is not comprehensive or even of especially great depth. It does provide an excellent brief overview of the history, controversies, and approaches of the various schools of archaeological theory. The quasi-dialogs with interjections from imaginary students adds to the interest of the book and keeps a potentially dry subject interesting, even entertaining at times. Archaeological Theory is the best, readable introduction to the complex and involuted field of archaeological theory that I've encountered in 20 years of teaching. As the initial text into an upper division course, enhanced by more in-depth studies later, it is hard to beat.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to archaeological theory, February 28, 2009

By 

History Fan (Fort Worth, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Archaeological Theory (Paperback)

If you want the most thorough (and more difficult) text on Archaeological Theory, Bruce Trigger's is the way to go. This version, a little more watered down but infinitely easier to read, is a great text for students and those not intimately versed in Archaeological Theory and Thought.