Description:
Archaeological Theory in the New Millennium provides an accessible account of the changing world of archaeological theory. It charts the emergence of the new emphasis on relations as well as engaging with current theoretical trends and the thinkers archaeologist regularly employ. This book will be an essential guide to cutting-edge theory for students and for professional wishing to reacquaint themselves with this field.
Review Quotes:
"If you believe that theory is something you can ignore; if you believe that it is hopelessly relativist, post-processualist or, worse, post-modernist; if you seek a relatively short, refreshingly clear, and historically insightful overview of archaeological theory--and by that I mean social theory--since the 1980s; or if you teach a course on archaeological theory, then you need to read, and have your students read, this book. I say this because Archaeological Theory in the New Millennium is an engaging, concise, and forward-looking survey of theory in the field today, written by Oliver J. T. Harris and Craig N. Cipolla, that correctly targets the upcoming generation of archaeologists."- Timothy R. Pauketat, Illinois State Archaeological Survey and Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
"The manual is useful as it gathers the main set of fashionable ideas by which a section of the modern generation of archaeologists navigate their data, interpretations and thoughts. As such, it provides an excellent characterisation of the current state of this form of archaeological research, which deserves reflection." - Leo S. Klejn, Saint Petersburg State University, Russia
"Archaeological Theory in the New Millennium reads easily. It is clear and simple even when addressing complex issues. It is a slender book with generous referencing, thoughtful illustrations, boxed digests of seminal thinkers which act as handy aidememoires and thematic cartoons amplifying the theories being discussed. The simplicity of delivery is deceptive. It is a book that can serve either the new student or the advanced theorist." - Pamela Armstrong, Journal of Skyscape Archaeology