Book chapter
ETHNOARCHAEOLOGY
Encyclopedia of Archaeology, pp.1157-1167
Elsevier Inc
2008
DOI: 10.1016/B978-012373962-9.00102-3
Abstract
Ethnoarchaeology is ethnographic fieldwork designed to contribute to archaeological interpretation. Archaeologists study the material traces of past human behavior; ethnoarchaeologists study the material traces of ongoing human behavior, so that archaeologists can better infer past human behavior from material patterns. Direct behavioral observations, informant accounts and explanations, previous anthropological or sociological studies, and historical documents may all be available to the ethnoarchaeologist, allowing a more detailed and nuanced look at the relationships between human activities and artifacts. Ethnoarchaeological fieldwork is similar to other ethnographic research in some ways, but methods reflect (or should reflect) the emphasis on material culture and the need for data comparable to archaeological data. This article provides an overview of the development of ethnoarchaeology, its contributions to archaeological interpretation, and debates over its utility and successful application. Some of these points are illustrated through a case study from the Kalinga Ethnoarchaeological Project.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- ETHNOARCHAEOLOGY
- Creators
- Margaret E Beck - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publication Details
- Encyclopedia of Archaeology, pp.1157-1167
- DOI
- 10.1016/B978-012373962-9.00102-3
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2008
- Academic Unit
- Anthropology
- Record Identifier
- 9984270196902771
Metrics
22 Record Views