Social Theory and Archaeology

Archaeological theory and method have recently become the subject of vigorous debate centred on the growing realization that archaeological theory is social theory and as such can be looked at by means of a wide variety of sociological frameworks, such as structuralism and post-structuralism, Marxism and critical theory. In this analysis, Shanks and Tilley argue against the functionalism and positivism which result from an inadequate assimilation of social theory into the day-to-day practice of archaeology. Aimed at an advanced undergraduate audience, the book presents a challenge to the traditional idea of the archaeologist as explorer or discoverer and the more recent emphasis on archaeology as behavioural science. The authors examine and evaluate the new possibilities for a self-reflexive, critical and political practice of archaeology, productively linking the past to the present.

Tensions, pluralities, and engendering archaeology: an introduction to women and prehistory / Margaret W. Conkey and Joan M. Gero Gender theory and the archaeological record: why is there no archaeology of gender? / Alison Wylie Contexts of action, contexts for power: material culture and gender in the Magdalenian / Margaret W. Conkey Households with faces : the challenge of gender in prehistoric architectural remains / Ruth E. Tringham Gender, space, and food in prehistory / Christine A. Hastorf Genderlithics : women's roles in stone tool production / Joan M. Gero Women's labor and pottery production in prehistory / Rita P. Wright Weaving and cooking: women's production in Aztec Mexico / Elizabeth M. Brumfiel Development of horticulture in the Eastern Woodlands of North America : women's role / Patty Jo Watson and Mary C. Kennedy Gender shellfishing, and the shell mound archaic / Cheryl P. Claassen Pounding acorn: women's production as social and economic focus / Thomas L. Jackson Whose art was found at Lepenski Vir? Gender relations and power in archaeology / Russell G. Handsman Women in a men's world: images of Sumerian women / Susan Pollock What this awl means: toward a feminist archaeology / Janet D. Spector.