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by J. Ned Woodall
| Paperback in very Good condition. Faint crease across bottom right corner front cover, scuff mark base of spine.
Published by Schenkman Publishing Company, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 1972.
96 pages.
13.4cm x 20.4cm x 7mm.
Cover Design by: E.F. Cirangle.
Through the marriage of anthropology - the study of man's cultures - and archeology - the study of man's cultural artifacts - comes paleoanthropology or 'the new archeaology'. In an introduction to Modern Archeology, J. Ned Woodall explores the ways in which the modern archeologist 'is abandoning mere description as the goal of excavation insisting instead that data be interpreted and explained in terms of known processes of human social intercourse.' Thus we see the development of a new scientific position: it is no longer enough for archeologists to classify and identify artifacts of earlier cultures, for they must now begin to postulate hypotheses about those cultures.
Beginning with 'unilinear evolution' - the development of cultural features as an inevitable product of advancement through a hierarchy - Dr. Woodall examines other theoretical explanations of cultural growth. He takes us through the world as seen through the eyes of Franz Boas and his 'historical particularism,' elucidating the idea that the understanding of a culture's format is determined by its historical perspective. In lucid discussions An Introduction to Modern Archeology presents the multi-dimensional aspects of cultural change.
After a lively presentation of various definitions of culture, Dr Woodall examines data found during archeological 'digs' and explains how to test hypotheses resulting from the classification of artifacts. In the final chapter he presents information which the reader can use to postulate his or her own interpretations of cultural findings. Focusing on a pre-historical cultural change, the reader will easily understand the processes that enable the new archeologist to develop meaningful theoretical analyses of human culture.
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Publisher: Schenkman
ISBN:
Condition: Very Good |
1972
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| Postage & Handling to UK mainland: £2.50 | Price: £3.00
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