Exploring the Past: Readings in Archaeology

Front Cover
James Bayman, Miriam T. Stark
Carolina Academic Press, 2000 - Social Science - 566 pages

This collection of readings on anthropological archaeology draws from academic and popular venues to introduce university students to the rapidly changing character of this dynamic field. Selections represent the broad array of methodological approaches and theoretical perspectives of archaeology as it enters the 21st century.

Exploring the Past is divided into topical sections that define archaeology, identify its goals and purpose, trace its origins, and discuss the relevance of archaeology to contemporary society as it seeks to interpret humanity's past. Bayman and Stark illustrate how archaeological concepts and methods are practically applied, from site discovery through excavation, artifact analysis, and publication. Each major section of readings is prefaced with discussion that orients students to the issue at hand, and each section is followed by an inclusive, synthetic commentary. These commentaries critically evaluate the merits of differing viewpoints and seek to forecast upcoming developments in the field in light of current trends.

Exploring the Past addresses the current controversy over cultural patrimony and alerts the student of archaeology to the acceleration of site destruction in the wake of economic development. Lavishly illustrated, Exploring the Past presents the student with several case studies to illustrate key methods and theoretical perspectives employed by archaeologists to document and explain past lifeways.

From inside the book

 

Contents

Part OneDefining Archaeology
3
Commentary
63
Commentary
91
Copyright

20 other sections not shown

Common terms and phrases

activities agricultural American ancient animal appear archaeological archaeologists artifacts Aurignacian began believe body bones building burial called canoe cave century collected complex construction contained cooking courtesy cultural dating early east Europe evidence example excavation experience feet field Figure garbage ground groups Hopi houses human important interest interpretation islands Kalinga known lake lamps land late later living located major material Maya methods mounds Museum natural needed organization origins past pattern period plants platform points population pots pottery prehistoric present preserved produced question raised recently record region remains result River rock sailing says settlement shell societies species statue stone suggests surface techniques tion trade traditional University village walls

About the author (2000)

Dr. James Bayman is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at University of Hawai'i at Manoa. He has archeological field experience in North America, the Hawaiian Islands, and Southeast Asia. Miriam Stark is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

Bibliographic information

TitleExploring the Past: Readings in Archaeology
EditorsJames Bayman, Miriam T. Stark
Editionillustrated
PublisherCarolina Academic Press, 2000
Original fromthe University of Michigan
DigitizedJun 3, 2008
ISBN0890896992, 9780890896990
Length566 pages
Subjects ›  › 

Social Science / Anthropology / General
Social Science / Archaeology
  
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