Understanding the Archaeological Record [Paperback]

This book explores the understandings of the archaeological record in both historical and contemporary perspective, while also serving as a guide to reassessing current views.This book explores the diverse understandings of the archaeological record in both historical and contemporary perspective, while also serving as a guide to reassessing current understandings. Gavin Lucas calls for a rethinking of the nature of archaeological evidence and the kind of history and narratives written from it.This book explores the diverse understandings of the archaeological record in both historical and contemporary perspective, while also serving as a guide to reassessing current understandings. Gavin Lucas calls for a rethinking of the nature of archaeological evidence and the kind of history and narratives written from it.This book explores the diverse understandings of the archaeological record in both historical and contemporary perspective, while also serving as a guide to reassessing current views. Gavin Lucas argues that archaeological theory has become both too fragmented and disconnected from the particular nature of archaeological evidence. The book examines three ways of understanding the archaeological record  as historical sources, through formation theory, and as material culture  then reveals ways to connect these three domains through a reconsideration of archaeological entities and archaeological practice. Ultimately, Lucas calls for a rethinking of the nature of the archaeological record and the kind of history and narratives written from it.1. The trouble with theory; 2. The total record; 3. Formation theory; 4. Materialized culture; 5. Archaeological entities; 6. Archaeological interventions; 7. A 'new' social archaeology? This is a bold book and worth reading by all theoretically minded scholars.
European Journal of Archaeology Lucass book brings a new complexity to the concept of the archaeological record.
R. Carl DeMuth, Canadian Journl0