A History of Archaeological Thought

By Bruce G. Trigger

Book Overview

In its original edition, Bruce Trigger's book was the first ever to examine the history of archaeological thought from medieval times to the present in world-wide perspective. Now, in this new edition, he both updates the original work and introduces new archaeological perspectives and concerns. At once stimulating and even-handed, it places the development of archaeological thought and theory throughout within a broad social and intellectual framework. The successive but interacting trends apparent in archaeological thought are defined and the author seeks to determine the extent to which these trends were a reflection of the personal and collective interests of archaeologists as these relate - in the West at least - to the fluctuating fortunes of the middle classes. While subjective influences have been powerful, Professor Trigger argues that the gradual accumulation of archaeological data has exercised a growing constraint on interpretation. In turn, this has increased the objectivity of archaeological research and enhanced its value for understanding the entire span of human history and the human condition in general.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521840767
• ISBN13: 9780521840767
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 732 Pages
• Weight: 2.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The most detailed history of archaeology available to date

This is by far the most thorough and complete history of the development of archaeological theory. At times, the material is rather dense (certainly not for the lay armchair archaeologist), but it is informative none the less. All students of archaeology should read this text.

Critical To Understanding Archaeological Theory

Trigger's work, first published in 1989, is one of the best syntheses available on the history of archaeology as a discipline and on the theoretical perspectives which have accompanied each stage of the development of the discipline. Trigger carefully links each of the theoretical perspectives - such as unilineal evolution, cultural materialism, Marxism, postprocessual and historical theory - with the historic and cultural developments in archaeology and in Western and world society that each perspective is based on. Besides the value of this work to archaeologists, members of the general public who want to gain an understanding of why archaeologists "do" archaeology and anthropology should read Trigger's work as well. Very well done, and highly recommended.

A longue durée view of archaeological thought

It's not just the updated and critical revision of the historiographic literature of the last 18 years; necessary for all those archaeologist, historians, philosophers, or in general, social scientists interested in the historic study of the different dimensions of archaeological practice and theory. But, above all, it is the aufhebung of Trigger's previous work that allow us to put into a wide perspective the current issues of worldwide archaeology, inside the context of the social sciences as part of the global history of the modern world.

Excellent synthesis of archaeological theory

Trigger's book, "A History of Archaeological Thought", is an excellent addition to any archaeological method and theory (M & T) class at the graduate or undergraduate level. I purchased this book, as recommended by a professor of mine, to read in addition to all the readings assigned in my graduate M & T class. Trigger articulates in few words what many archaeological theorists take pages to explain (eg. Binford). It was extremely helpful, and made wading through different theoretical paradigms much more enjoyable.

An essential historigraphy of archaeological theory.

Trigger's comprehensive synthesis traces the origins and developement of archaeological theory from antiquity to post-processualism. With a global perspective, Trigger explorers the philosophical and scientific milestones that altered or redirected archaeological thought throughout its history. An excellent and readable reference.