Memory and Material Culture [Paperback]

An important contribution to the development of archaeological theory and the discussion of European prehistory.In this book, Andrew Jones argues that the material world offers a vital framework for the formation of collective memory. He uses the topic of memory to critique the treatment of artifacts as symbols by interpretative archaeologists and artifacts as units of information (or memes) by behavioral archaeologists, instead arguing for a treatment of artifacts as forms of mnemonic trace that have an impact on the senses.In this book, Andrew Jones argues that the material world offers a vital framework for the formation of collective memory. He uses the topic of memory to critique the treatment of artifacts as symbols by interpretative archaeologists and artifacts as units of information (or memes) by behavioral archaeologists, instead arguing for a treatment of artifacts as forms of mnemonic trace that have an impact on the senses.In this book, Andrew Jones argues that the material world offers a vital framework for the formation of collective memory. He uses the topic of memory to critique the treatment of artifacts as symbols by interpretative archaeologists and artifacts as units of information (or memes) by behavioral archaeologists, instead arguing for a treatment of artifacts as forms of mnemonic trace that have an impact on the senses. Using detailed case studies from prehistoric Europe, he further argues that archaeologists can study the relationship between mnemonic traces in the form of networks of reference in artefactual and architectural forms.1. Memory and material culture?; 2. From memory to commemoration; 3. People, time and remembrance; 4. Improvising culture; 5. Continuous houses, perpetual places; 6. Culture, citation and categorisation; 7. Chains of memory; 8. The art of memory; 9. Tracing the past; 10. Coda. Memory and Material is an engaging and valuable book. -Peter S. Wells, Journal of Anthropological Research