The History of Archaeological Theory

Cultural evolutionism was the dominant archaeological theory in the 19th century. It held that all cultures progress through a series of stages, from savagery to barbarism to civilization.

Friedrich Ratzel was the founder of diffusionism. He argued that culture traits spread from one area to another through migration, trade, and warfare.

The main focus of functionalism in archaeology is the study of how artifacts were used. Functionalists argue that the form and design of an artifact can tell us about its function.

Lewis Binford was the founder of processual archaeology. He argued that archaeologists should focus on the processes that create and modify archaeological remains, rather than on the artifacts themselves.

The main focus of post-processual archaeology is the study of the social and cultural context of artifacts. Post-processualists argue that artifacts cannot be understood in isolation from the people who made and used them.

The main focus of cognitive archaeology is the study of how people thought in the past. Cognitive archaeologists argue that the material remains of past cultures can provide insights into the cognitive processes of the people who made and used them.

The main focus of landscape archaeology is the study of how people interacted with their environment in the past. Landscape archaeologists argue that the material remains of past cultures can provide insights into the ways in which people used, modified, and perceived their environment.

The main focus of feminist archaeology is the study of gender relations in the past. Feminist archaeologists argue that traditional archaeological theories and methods have been androcentric, and that they have marginalized the role of women in past societies.

The main focus of indigenous archaeology is the study of indigenous cultures in the past. Indigenous archaeologists argue that traditional archaeological theories and methods have been Eurocentric, and that they have marginalized the voices of indigenous peoples.

The main focus of public archaeology is the study of how archaeology can be used to engage the public. Public archaeologists argue that archaeology should be accessible to everyone, and that it can be used to promote understanding of the past and to build community.

The main focus of environmental archaeology is the study of the relationship between humans and the environment in the past. Environmental archaeologists argue that humans and the environment have always been interconnected, and that the study of past environments can provide insights into the human experience.

The main focus of underwater archaeology is the study of shipwrecks. Underwater archaeologists argue that shipwrecks can provide insights into past trade, travel, and warfare.

The main focus of mortuary archaeology is the study of death and burial in the past. Mortuary archaeologists argue that the study of death and burial can provide insights into the social, cultural, economic, and political organization of past societies.

The main focus of experimental archaeology is the study of how artifacts were made and used in the past. Experimental archaeologists argue that the best way to understand artifacts is to recreate them and use them in the same way that they were used in the past.