Field Methods in Archaeology [Paperback]

Thomas Hester (Author), Harry Shafer (Author), Kenneth L. Feder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 1997 | ISBN-10: 1559347996 | ISBN-13: 978-1559347990 | Edition: 7

This highly regarded comprehensive guide provides an up-to-date overview of the variety of methods used in field archaeology, from research design to excavation strategies to conservation of artifacts and record-keeping. The contributors to the volume bring a wealth of expertise on diverse subjects and offer practical advice on their areas of special interest.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Reissue of the seventh edition of the major textbook describing field and laboratory methods for archaeology students. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Ken Feder received his Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Connecticut in 1982. He is a full professor in the Department of Anthropology at Central Connecticut State University where he has taught since 1977. He is the founder and director of the Farmington River Archaeological Project, an on-going survey of an inland, upland valley in north central Connecticut. He is the author of several books including Human Antiquity: An Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Archaeology (with Michael Park); Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology; A Village of Outcasts: Historical Archaeology and Documentary Research at the Lighthouse Site; The Past in Perspective: An Introduction to Human Prehistory; Field Methods in Archaeology (co-editor with Tom Hester and Harry Shafer); Lessons from the Past: An Introductory Reader in Archaeology (editor); and Dangerous Places: Health, Safety, and Archaeology (co-edited with David Poirier). He is a Fellow of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal. He has been the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award at Central Connecticut State University. He has appeared on a number of television documentaries about archaeology for BBC Horizon, the History Channel, and the Learning Channel. He lives in West Simsbury, Connecticut with his wife, two sons, and three bad cats.

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; 7 edition (January 31, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559347996
• ISBN-13: 978-1559347990
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #492,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #80 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Biophysics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some comments from the senior author, September 14, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Field Methods in Archaeology (Paperback)

The three recent comments on FIELD METHODS, 7th ed. need some clarification. Yes, the book is long, very long. I didn't know we had any statistics in it (reviewer #1)! It is not comparable to Joukowsky, as her book, like our 6th ed., Hester, et al. l975, is now badly out of date. The 7th ed., l997, is designed as (l) a text, especially for field schools (2) a reference on contemporary approaches to field archaeology. It is not a trade book, especially since Mayfield does not discount to bookstores. The long-winded aspect comes from an effort to review contemporary archaeology, which is changing rapidly and covers a broad area of inquiry. The academic review cards received by Mayfield after publication were overwhelmingly positive. Thus, the book appeals largely to professionals and active avocational archaeologists. It is not a "light read" on the glorious discoveries of archaeology.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for people interested in learning on own time., November 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Field Methods in Archaeology (Paperback)

As a person interested in learning more about archaeology field methods, I found this book had good explanations of some very puzzling processes. It also makes a great textbook and was used to prepare students for a field school by professors at UT Dallas. Good book - but you may have to read it over a couple of times in order to fully grasp all the knowledge presented.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars View from the field, August 25, 2010

By 

Michael Nelson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Field Methods in Archaeology: Seventh Edition (Paperback)

I am a professional archaeologist. I had previously used Joukowsky for field schools in the past, but to be honest it is not as useful as it used to be. This book is now my replacement for Joukowsky. It is not for the casual reader and the writing style is not intended to entertain, but to educate. This book has everything you need for field schools, and certaily for the serious avocational archaeologist it will guide you well. It is long because modern methods are far more complex then they used to be and to cover all the essentials requires a book of this length.

If you are looking for an entertaining, easy read - this book is not for you. If you want to learn about the current best practices in field methodology, you would be hard-pressed to do better then this.