Reading the Past

A third edition of this classic introduction to archaeological theory and method.

The third edition of this classic introduction to archaeological theory and method has been fully updated to address the rapid development of theoretical debate throughout the discipline. Ian Hodder and Scott Hutson argue that archaeologists must consider a variety of perspectives in the complex and uncertain task of "translating the meaning of past texts into their own contemporary language." While remaining centered on the importance of meaning, agency and history, the authors explore the latest developments in post-structuralism, neo-evolutionary theory and phenomenology. Previous Edition Hb (1991): 0-521-40142-9 Previous Edition Pb (1991): 0-521-40957-8

Preface to the third edition; 1. The problem; 2. Processual and systems approaches; 3. Structuralist, post-structuralist and semiotic archaeologies; 4. Marxism and ideology; 5. Agency and practice; 6. Embodied archaeology; 7. Archaeology and history; 8. Contextual archaeology; 9. Post-processual archaeology; 10. Conclusion: archaeology as archaeology; Bibliography; Index.