Archaeology without –isms

Baines, A. and Brophy, K. (2006) Archaeology without –isms. Archaeological Dialogues, 13(1), pp. 69-91. (doi: 10.1017/S1380203806001826)

Abstract

This paper examines the division that has grown up in contemporary archaeology between practical and theoretical branches of the discipline. It argues that the two sides of this schism are archaeological versions of objectivism and subjectivism, and that they really represent a single dualism. To break out of this, what is needed is an approach to thinking and doing archaeology that recognises the embodied nature of archaeological engagements with material culture, together with an understanding of the emergent, relational character of archaeological data. In the light of this discussion, we attempt to re-define the building blocks of archaeology (material culture and the past), and to show with a case study how such an archaeology might generate new insights in practice.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Postprocessualism, material culture, time, stone rows, Bronze Age
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Brophy, Dr Kenny and Baines, Dr Andrew
• Authors: Baines, A., and Brophy, K.
• Subjects: C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Archaeology
• Journal Name: Archaeological Dialogues
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 1380-2038
• Published Online: 15 May 2006
• Copyright Holders: Cambridge University Press and the authors