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Key research themes
1. How has archaeological theory evolved to integrate materiality and philosophical debates in the history of archaeological thought?
This theme examines the trajectory of archaeological theory from earlier paradigm shifts such as processual and post-processual archaeology to contemporary engagements with 'new materialisms,' speculative realism, and related philosophical currents. It matters because it traces how theoretical frameworks have expanded to foreground the agency of material things, critique anthropocentrism, and integrate interdisciplinary philosophical debates, thus shaping the epistemological and ethical foundations of archaeology today.
Key finding: Julian Thomas articulates that archaeological theory has matured by assimilating philosophical debates from the humanities, particularly through an engagement with 'new materialisms' and the 'material turn,' moving beyond... Read more
Key finding: This work argues for re-centering humans in archaeological theory by distinguishing between material records as residues of past processes and material presences that realize forms of humanness. It critiques the conflation of... Read more
Key finding: The paper defines the 'archaeological' as a cultural phenomenon characterized by its statics and disengagement from the social, establishing its distinct object status. It insists that archaeology must study the... Read more
2. What role has scientific archaeology and archaeological science played in shaping archaeological theory and practice historically and in contemporary contexts?
This theme concerns the evolving relationship between archaeological theory and archaeological sciences—such as geoarchaeology, dating methods, and material analyses—and how this relationship has challenged traditional anti-scientific biases in archaeology. It explores the historical skepticism towards archaeological science and demonstrates how scientific methods have become increasingly integrated into theoretical frameworks, thereby enriching archaeological interpretations and providing novel insights into past human behavior and environmental interactions.
Key finding: The paper documents that archaeological science, once regarded as thematic and atheoretical by both processual and post-processual factions, is now central to archaeological theory and practice. It highlights that prominent... Read more
Key finding: This introduction emphasizes the significance of incorporating scientific methods alongside documentary and oral sources in historical archaeology, bridging archaeology with heritage studies and material culture studies. It... Read more
Key finding: The work highlights post-independence Indian archaeology's expansion of field surveys and methodological rigor, propelled by leaders such as Amalananda Ghosh. It documents the integration of scientific survey methods in... Read more
3. How have socio-political contexts and institutional histories influenced the development and historiography of archaeology globally?
Focusing on the impact of socio-political forces such as colonialism, nationalism, and institutional evolution, this theme investigates how archaeological knowledge production and disciplinary histories have been shaped by power relations, patronage, and regional agendas. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for critically assessing past biases, reforming ethical practices, and situating archaeological theory and practice within broader historical and cultural frameworks.
Key finding: Cheryl Claassen foregrounds the continuing influence of social positioning—including gender, ethnicity, and geopolitical disparity—on archaeological knowledge production. The paper documents persistent challenges like sexual... Read more
Key finding: This article reveals how colonial-era British and French archaeological enterprises in Egypt and Sudan were embedded within capitalist extraction cycles, where financial and archaeological capital were traded through funding,... Read more
Key finding: This study analyzes the intellectual genealogy of postwar U.S. archaeology, emphasizing how broader societal paradigms—such as hi-tech systems, structuralism, and Marxist social thought—were adopted and transformed within... Read more
Key finding: This historical account situates MARI’s centennial within evolving anthropological and archaeological paradigms and New Orleans’ socio-economic landscape. It contextualizes the institute’s establishment as interwoven with... Read more