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Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice
For the Fourth Edition, new theoretical approaches, such as agency, materiality, and engagement theory, are added and earlier approaches analyzed afresh. Field methods and scientific techniques have been updated throughout, and new emphasis is placed on climate change and its impact on human affairs. The latest information on topics as varied as the Iceman, Pleistocene extinctions, and Ilama domestication is included, along with the most up-to-date material on GIS and surveying technology. New topics will be introduced to emphasize the ever-changing face of modern archaeology, and additional special box features will be included, as well as discussion of the archaeological techniques needed to study the material culture of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. A key component of the new edition will be the introduction of a dedicated Web site and study guide to accompany the textbook itself.
640 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
125 people are currently reading
1675 people want to read
About the author
Colin Renfrew
96 books61 followersAndrew Colin Renfrew, Baron Renfrew of Kaimsthorn was a British archaeologist, paleolinguist and Conservative peer noted for his work on radiocarbon dating, the prehistory of languages, archaeogenetics, neuroarchaeology, and the prevention of looting at archaeological sites.
Renfrew was also the Disney Professor of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge and Director of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and was a Senior Fellow of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research.
Renfrew was also the Disney Professor of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge and Director of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and was a Senior Fellow of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 30, 2012
ARCHAEOLOGY BIBLE!
As several people have said, this was a recommended text for an introductory module of my archaeology undergrad degree. It perhaps hasn't been as useful as was implied, since no one has really referred to it after that module, but I have found it extremely helpful in all three years of my degree.
Even if I haven't cited it in essays, it has been a really good starting point. I've also found it useful for providing concise definitions and explanations of archaeological methods.
As several people have said, this was a recommended text for an introductory module of my archaeology undergrad degree. It perhaps hasn't been as useful as was implied, since no one has really referred to it after that module, but I have found it extremely helpful in all three years of my degree.
Even if I haven't cited it in essays, it has been a really good starting point. I've also found it useful for providing concise definitions and explanations of archaeological methods.
February 22, 2019
A great 'base' for archaeology. Incredibly detailed and well informed, plus language that is easy to understand yet not patronising. Would recommend for those with a general interest or beginning in archaeology, yet is still incredibly useful for those who are more advanced.
September 30, 2012
Had to read it for uni - well, we so far actually only had to read several chapters of it - but I liked it so much I finished the whole thing already. For a obligatory reading, that's pretty great.
October 6, 2016
I needed to pull this particular baby out to check something for a report I’m writing/avoiding. It required some seriously pro skills on my part to extract it from my Textbook-Jenga-Tower and, since procrastination is steadily becoming my middle name, I figured I’d write a quick review before risking my neck to return it back to its designated slot. (Wish me luck!)
I’ve had my copy for five years now; it’s horrifically tatty from use and is indispensable as a first port of call when I need something more in-depth than what is offered by The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology. For me this started out life as being some prep for an Archaeology A-Level, turned out to be the set text for A2 and then went on to prove itself worth its weight in gold during the first year of undergrad studies. This said, it is not one of those dry throat-ramming texts, and amateur enthusiasts or writers-on-a-quest-of-passing-research shall find a lot to love here too.
This covers all the basics: practical skills; history of the discipline; various case studies; archaeological theory (the BANE of every arch student’s degree), etc. etc. It’s yet to let me down. It also, unlike a lot of supposed ‘introductory references’, is actually readable to the normal lowly mortal; there’s a reason this is recommended by just about every archaeology undergraduate course going. It’s nicely formatted and keeps everything fairly simple, so even the most sleep-deprived/comatose student can make heads or tails out of its explanations. As a pre-exam refresher, especially when nerves fool you into believing you know nothing the night before said exam, it’s fantastic.
However, covering such a broad scope, this really is only brief and general reference material. The serious disciple of archaeology -even in the first year of U - should be looking further afield. This is particularly the case when it comes to the science, as this area is ever-evolving, and new information takes a while to filter down into the textbooks/updated editions. Personally, I have a pencil, and correct when applicable. The margins in this are a good size too, meaning this tome can turn into a nice reference notebook to be added to over the years (providing you aren’t planning to sell it on after realising there are no ‘real’ jobs at the end of an archaeology degree… Oops. Did I let that cat out of the bag?).
All in, I like to think of this Renfrew and Bahn as a helping hand or guide rope. It lets you get your foot into the first hold of whatever area you need to tackle, gives you the breathing space of a quick glance into the horror you’re about to leap head-first into, and then promises to hold your hand later on when things get proper scary. As such, this title should have pride of place in the bookcase (or Jenga Tower) of any self-respecting student; it’s a Virgil of an archaeological textbook and it will ease you through the various levels of ominous deadline hell… Mostly unscathed.
I’ve had my copy for five years now; it’s horrifically tatty from use and is indispensable as a first port of call when I need something more in-depth than what is offered by The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology. For me this started out life as being some prep for an Archaeology A-Level, turned out to be the set text for A2 and then went on to prove itself worth its weight in gold during the first year of undergrad studies. This said, it is not one of those dry throat-ramming texts, and amateur enthusiasts or writers-on-a-quest-of-passing-research shall find a lot to love here too.
This covers all the basics: practical skills; history of the discipline; various case studies; archaeological theory (the BANE of every arch student’s degree), etc. etc. It’s yet to let me down. It also, unlike a lot of supposed ‘introductory references’, is actually readable to the normal lowly mortal; there’s a reason this is recommended by just about every archaeology undergraduate course going. It’s nicely formatted and keeps everything fairly simple, so even the most sleep-deprived/comatose student can make heads or tails out of its explanations. As a pre-exam refresher, especially when nerves fool you into believing you know nothing the night before said exam, it’s fantastic.
However, covering such a broad scope, this really is only brief and general reference material. The serious disciple of archaeology -even in the first year of U - should be looking further afield. This is particularly the case when it comes to the science, as this area is ever-evolving, and new information takes a while to filter down into the textbooks/updated editions. Personally, I have a pencil, and correct when applicable. The margins in this are a good size too, meaning this tome can turn into a nice reference notebook to be added to over the years (providing you aren’t planning to sell it on after realising there are no ‘real’ jobs at the end of an archaeology degree… Oops. Did I let that cat out of the bag?).
All in, I like to think of this Renfrew and Bahn as a helping hand or guide rope. It lets you get your foot into the first hold of whatever area you need to tackle, gives you the breathing space of a quick glance into the horror you’re about to leap head-first into, and then promises to hold your hand later on when things get proper scary. As such, this title should have pride of place in the bookcase (or Jenga Tower) of any self-respecting student; it’s a Virgil of an archaeological textbook and it will ease you through the various levels of ominous deadline hell… Mostly unscathed.
January 20, 2023
Jättebra kurslitteratur. Speciellt inom metoder och exempel på olika fall
February 29, 2024
Realmente no estoy ni segura de que esté fuera el manual que tuve que leerme enterito en italiano sobre arqueología, pero de lo que sí que estoy segura es de que fue horrible
July 27, 2021
Bought when I started Archaeology some 20 years ago, but never got around to actually reading it. I didn't finish archaeology either so it just stood there in my bookcase, looking pretty next to Paul Bahn's History of Archaeology.
And then in 2020, the covid-19 pandemic hit and all of a sudden I had a loooooooot of time to read so I thought it a good time to finally give this one a shot.
The target audience for this book are students of archaeology and scientific studies of the past. It's written and reads as a textbook with plenty of examples, fieldcases and studies past and present on determining the past. Anyone interested in the finer points of archaeology and how the science has evolved since the time British noblemen "burrowed" the Pantheon stèles, will find a great source in this book.
Be warned, it's an epic read! ;)
And then in 2020, the covid-19 pandemic hit and all of a sudden I had a loooooooot of time to read so I thought it a good time to finally give this one a shot.
The target audience for this book are students of archaeology and scientific studies of the past. It's written and reads as a textbook with plenty of examples, fieldcases and studies past and present on determining the past. Anyone interested in the finer points of archaeology and how the science has evolved since the time British noblemen "burrowed" the Pantheon stèles, will find a great source in this book.
Be warned, it's an epic read! ;)
January 6, 2011
Good introductory book.
November 29, 2019
A perfect balance of breadth and detail, introducing the beginner to all of the tools archaeologists employ from the pre-dig survey, to excavation, to analysis, accompanied by actual field examples to illustrate use of the tools. The book also includes a history of - as well as the strengths and weaknesses of - the major schools of archaeological thought, accompanied by actual field examples of these theories in action. The authors take great pains to delineate what archaeological endeavor can explain, and the limitations of what can truly be known (how much can we really know about what "they thought"?). Elegantly and efficiently written, and key references for each section conveniently provided.
March 21, 2024
no es este libro o al menos no esta edición exactamente pero bueno me negaba a no dejarlo registrado en algún lado después de tener q leermelo. sinceramente si no eres arqueóloga o no te interesa ni un mínimo esta rama del saber del suelo básicamente, no te lo leas. no es un libro de curiosidades. es temario arqueólogo. y si no sabéis italiano con un alto nivel pues no os tortureis anda. ya pasé yo por esto como pa q nadie más q no cumpla las condiciones anteriores decida sufrir también. lo bueno? q aprobé el examen con buena nota. ahora tengo data base de arqueología en la cabeza por si a alguien le interesa ( o al menos lo tenía en enero cuando hice el examen, lo siento hago las reseñas super a destiempo). no pensé q esta fuera a ser mi primera lectura del año pero mira. De aquí a mejor. el capítulo más chulo pa las frikis del origen de los pueblos (modo etnias o culturas) es el nueve. chicas no hay nada q me fascine más q las primeras poblaciones humanas. muac muac
July 26, 2019
I'm merely an amateur with a 50-year interest in archeology, but this stunningly comprehensive review of the science of archeology pulled me in immediately. Yes, it covers the techniques and methodologies, but the myriad 'sidebars' alone are worth the hefty price of this weighty college textbook. The sidebars cover digs and discoveries from all eras and all over the globe. I've spent hours just paging through at random, reading about everything from Skara Brae to flint knapping. This textbook is suggested reading for an excellent Coursera online survey course given by a Brown University prof and her acolytes. Highly recommended despite some large helpings of impenetrable academic jargon (processural archeologies?!) and outright nonsense like an article on something called Marxist archeology.
May 27, 2008
This is one of the best intro texts for archaeology students or interested amateurs. It contains a lot of graphics and pull-text boxes to keep it interesting. I would use it without question were I teaching an archaeology 101 course.
June 6, 2008
The best standard textbook for beginning students of archaeology.
October 19, 2011
Archaeology
November 11, 2012
This is the Bible for all archaeologists all over the world. Expensive but essencial.
October 19, 2013
Buen libro! Esta escrito como para dummies :D
December 23, 2014
Wonderful introduction to Archaeology! Used it in my studies and just as something to read!
December 30, 2016
This is a very comprehensive textbook, covering everything from surveying methods, analysis methods through to explaining the various schools of archaeological thought and pondering ethical debates about dealing with artefacts and human remains.
Reading it independently means that I don't have access to a university faculty or lecturers who can demonstrate some of the more specialist scientific methods to preserve materials, establish their dates etc. Some of that science went a little over my head whereas a proper university-level archaeology student would be given more help in understanding it. But the fact that the book tells you these methods, explains the theories - it is all there for when you need to refer back to it. I also liked the fact that the book highlights the cases of a number of people working in the field of archaeology. These case studies look at how they got into the subject, what they do and where they work - highlighting that there are many pathways and specialisms to follow in archaeology - providing that you can get the chance to study/practice it in the first place.
Reading it independently means that I don't have access to a university faculty or lecturers who can demonstrate some of the more specialist scientific methods to preserve materials, establish their dates etc. Some of that science went a little over my head whereas a proper university-level archaeology student would be given more help in understanding it. But the fact that the book tells you these methods, explains the theories - it is all there for when you need to refer back to it. I also liked the fact that the book highlights the cases of a number of people working in the field of archaeology. These case studies look at how they got into the subject, what they do and where they work - highlighting that there are many pathways and specialisms to follow in archaeology - providing that you can get the chance to study/practice it in the first place.
March 3, 2022
A long but very worth while read! It allowed me an insight into the concepts of archaeology for my introduction course to the wider subject. It is complete and shows the reader a lot of sides and criticisms to one argument. This plays into the idea of the subjectivity of Truth which is, in my opinion, important to recognise as a part of postmodern academia.
I was mostly surprised by chapter eleven on disease and mortality. Following my personal interest in disease, it was amazing to learn about the affected bones through diseases like TB and Polio. I am actually writing my paper for this course on dental enamel damage and social class thanks to this book! A big recommendation, even if you are not an archaeology student.
I was mostly surprised by chapter eleven on disease and mortality. Following my personal interest in disease, it was amazing to learn about the affected bones through diseases like TB and Polio. I am actually writing my paper for this course on dental enamel damage and social class thanks to this book! A big recommendation, even if you are not an archaeology student.
March 7, 2023
Spring semester textbook for my arch class, good textbook, super interesting and great presentation of scientific developments and dating techniques. However, the 6th edition is behind in some of the advances we've made since 2012, so I'm giving it four stars (for example: the mask that Heinrich Schliemann thought was that of King Agamemnon has now been dated to about 300-400 years before Agamemnon's rule, but the book doesn't say this. It lists the mask as "possibly" the king's, because it was written before we could get an accurate date). Would definitely recommend reading the current edition, as it's a well-written and engaging textbook.
May 29, 2017
One of my two constant companions for the past semester, this is basically the bible for the field of Archaeology and physical anthropology. Its scope is vast and the information therein is dense. My only qualms is the fact the anthropology and archaeology in particular is an ever changing field and there were aspects of this, even the most recent version, that were becoming slightly out of date in terms of some postulation. Otherwise an excellent and reliable text.
March 15, 2022
This is a really good textbook about the study of archaeology. It's definitely a long read, but if you think you might be interested in the subject, it's very thorough. There's lot of pictures and facts about archaeological finds.
There are a couple weird references to 'modern' studies of archaeology (feminist archaeology and Marxist archaeology), but thankfully these are few and far in-between. Also, it's more an examination of those studies, not a championing of them.
There are a couple weird references to 'modern' studies of archaeology (feminist archaeology and Marxist archaeology), but thankfully these are few and far in-between. Also, it's more an examination of those studies, not a championing of them.
August 30, 2018
A book every archaeologist should probably have on their shelves. This is a fairly comprehensive overview of methods in the field of archaeology, though it's only an overview. Each topic can, and should, be delved into more deeply if you're a professional archaeologist, but this makes a great introductory text and reference volume. The only caveat to that being that the theory section is too brief and a bit of a mess. For a great overview of contemporary archaeological theory, I much prefer something like Matthew Johnson's 'Archaeological Theory: An Introduction'.
September 16, 2018
Отне ми много време да я прочета, но накрая мога с удоволствие да кажа, че си заслужаваше усилието да не я изоставя.
It took such a long time for me to read it but at the end I can say with delight that it's worth the efforts.
It took such a long time for me to read it but at the end I can say with delight that it's worth the efforts.
August 18, 2021
Alguna vez pregunte en #AskAnArchDay y fue una respuesta unánime. Leerlo como pasatiempo, porque me fascina la arqueología y encontrar la base de la información necesaria para todo arqueólogo.
"Teoría, métodos y práctica."
"Teoría, métodos y práctica."
July 18, 2022
I was assigned this book for an archaeology course in university, and I ended up coming back to it multiple times throughout other anthropology courses as a resource. Very well-written, beautifully organized, and full to the brim with information!
December 9, 2022
I initially got this book for my Archaeology Uncovered class at the unit, but it has proved very useful. I have since used it for my Australian Archaeology, Archaeology in Film and Fiction and History of Archaeology.
January 4, 2019
Too botch easy to read scholarly book.
June 2, 2019
El padrenuestro en lo que a manuales de arqueología se refiere.
November 28, 2019
It's a really good, detailed book that gives a peek into the wast field of Archeology and all it's beauty.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews