METHODOLOGY \PRINCIPLES \Archaeology \ 308theo – 1: G. Buccellati, November 2004
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Introductory Theory of the archaeological process Theory about archaeological data The epigonic factor A comparison with general linguistics IntroductoryThe interest in theory has dominated the field of archaeology since at least the early seventies. The enormous effort in this regard has been characterized by an ongoing confrontation with existing, non-archaeological, systems of thought that have been applied to the data of material culture, whether resulting from direct excavations, or obtained from the ground surface during surveys, or again available as discrete items in a museum setting.It is to a much lessere degree that attention has been paid to a theoretical approach that focuses first and foremost on archaeology from within.Back to top Theory of the archaeological processExcursusBack to top Theory of archaeological dataBack to topThe epigonic factorIt is generally the case that in the wake of innovative bursts of energy within a given intellectual field there develops a tendency to imitate extrinsically the surface of what has been creatively said at the origin. The epigones adapt the mechanics of an argument, with little or no critical judgment being brought to bear on the argument, and with even less original thought being displayed.Archaeological theory has lent itself to such a development to a degree, and in the immense literature on the subject one must be weary of the potential for such a phenomenon. Back to top A comparison with general linguisticsBack to top |