Ethnoarchaeology is still one of the lesser known areas of study in Anthropology, although it is central and has multiple relations to other fields. Initially, Ethnoarchaeology evolved as the study of the ethnographic material culture from an archeaological perspective, and during the past fifty years it has expanded both its scope and importance. Both authors are well-known professionals and their theoretical approaches involve both the processualism of the New Archeaology and the post-procesualism of the 1980s and 90s. The book is based on case studies, giving ample and equal coverage to different geographical regions and diverse themes, including analysis of material both in French and German. The introduction to Ethnoarchaeology and its history, and also a survey of the necessary ample theoretical spectrum and a discussion of field methods and ethics, are made in three chapters. Ten different thematic chapters deal with formation processes, subsistence, the study of production and styles of manufactured articles, sites' structures and architecture, craft work specialist production, commerce and trade, mortuary practices and ideology. The book concludes by examining both how Ethnoarchaeology has contributed and may still bring contributions to Anthropology, as well as the place it occupies in the discipline of Anthropology. The book is generously illustrated, including photographs of well known ethnoarchaeologists at work.
ethnoarchaeology; theory; ethnographic analogie
