Ethnoarchaeology: A Non Historical Science of Reference Necessary for Interpreting the Past Export

@article{citeulike:1355418, abstract = {Ethnoarchaeology appears nowadays as a poorly formulated field. However, it could become a real science of reference for interpreting the past if it was focused upon well-founded cross-cultural correlates, linking material culture with static and dynamic phenomena. For this purpose, such correlates have to be studied in terms of explanatory mechanisms. Cross-cultural correlates correspond to those regularities where explanatory mechanisms invoke universals. These universals can be studied by reference to the theories found in the different disciplines they relate to and which are situated outside of the domain of archaeology. In the domain of technology, cross-cultural correlates cover a wide range of static and dynamic phenomena. They allow the archaeologist to interpret archaeological facts—for which there is not necessarily analogue—in terms of local historical scenario as well as cultural evolution. In this respect, it is shown that ethnoarchaeology, when following appropriate methodologies and focussing on the universals that underlie the diversity of archaeological facts, does provide the reference data needed to climb up in the pyramid of inferences that make up our interpretative constructs.}, author = {Roux, Valentine}, citeulike-article-id = {1355418}, citeulike-linkout-0 = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10816-007-9030-8}, citeulike-linkout-1 = {http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/jarm/2007/00000014/00000002/00009030}, day = {25}, doi = {10.1007/s10816-007-9030-8}, issn = {1072-5369}, journal = {Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory}, keywords = {200706, ethnoarcheologie, methode}, month = {June}, number = {2}, pages = {153--178}, posted-at = {2007-06-01 13:47:19}, priority = {2}, publisher = {Springer}, title = {Ethnoarchaeology: A Non Historical Science of Reference Necessary for Interpreting the Past}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10816-007-9030-8}, volume = {14}, year = {2007} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:1355418 L3 - citeulike-article-id:1355418 N2 - Ethnoarchaeology appears nowadays as a poorly formulated field. However, it could become a real science of reference for interpreting the past if it was focused upon well-founded cross-cultural correlates, linking material culture with static and dynamic phenomena. For this purpose, such correlates have to be studied in terms of explanatory mechanisms. Cross-cultural correlates correspond to those regularities where explanatory mechanisms invoke universals. These universals can be studied by reference to the theories found in the different disciplines they relate to and which are situated outside of the domain of archaeology. In the domain of technology, cross-cultural correlates cover a wide range of static and dynamic phenomena. They allow the archaeologist to interpret archaeological facts—for which there is not necessarily analogue—in terms of local historical scenario as well as cultural evolution. In this respect, it is shown that ethnoarchaeology, when following appropriate methodologies and focussing on the universals that underlie the diversity of archaeological facts, does provide the reference data needed to climb up in the pyramid of inferences that make up our interpretative constructs. IS - 2 JF - Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory SN - 1072-5369 EP - 178 TI - Ethnoarchaeology: A Non Historical Science of Reference Necessary for Interpreting the Past PB - Springer VL - 14 SP - 153 KW - 200706 KW - ethnoarcheologie KW - methode AU - Roux, Valentine PY - 2007/06/25/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10816-007-9030-8 ER -