Robert J. Muckle. 2006. Introducing Archaeology. Broadview Press, Peterborough, Ontario. ISBN 13:978-1-55111-505-4. 216 pages, plus front matter, glossary, sources, and index.
The new introductory archaeology text called Introducing Archaeology was written by Robert J. Muckle and published in 2006 by Broadview Press. Broken into ten chapters, the first six chapters of the book cover basic concepts, a brief history of archaeology, career tracks and cultural resource management, a description of what constitutes "the archaeological record", field and safety methods, and laboratory processes. These are pretty standard fare for an introductory archaeological text. However, the final four chapters of Introducing Archaeology are dedicated to how archaeologists interpret their data, including cultural history, environmental analysis, social and ideological processes, and change and development of societies over time. This emphasis on the interpretive parts of archaeology is worth a closer look.
Each chapter has a map of the archaeological sites, a list of key resources and suggestions for further reading. A substantial glossary, a bibliography and an index round out the written text. The CD Rom provided with the teacher's version includes an intructor's manual, with outlines and summaries of the book, learning outcomes and lecture suggestions. A Power Point presentation of the text includes slides of text and images that may be used in the classroom. Finally, a test bank of 200 multiple-choice questions from the text is provided in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF format.
The new introductory archaeology text called Introducing Archaeology was written by Robert J. Muckle and published in 2006 by Broadview Press. Broken into ten chapters, the first six chapters of the book cover basic concepts, a brief history of archaeology, career tracks and cultural resource management, a description of what constitutes "the archaeological record", field and safety methods, and laboratory processes. These are pretty standard fare for an introductory archaeological text. However, the final four chapters of Introducing Archaeology are dedicated to how archaeologists interpret their data, including cultural history, environmental analysis, social and ideological processes, and change and development of societies over time. This emphasis on the interpretive parts of archaeology is worth a closer look.
More than the Standard Fare
Chapter 7 is called Reconstructing Cultural History, and it covers dating techniques and then takes us on a brief tour of the prehistory of people. Chapter 8 is Reconstructing Ecological Adaptations, which includes site formation processes, subsistence strategies, domestication of plants and animals, and reconstructing diet from residues and human remains. Chapter 9 is Reconstructing the Social and Ideological Aspects of Culture, and in this chapter Muckle presents ranking systems, complex societies, gender and ethnic identification in the record, and ideological processes such as mortuary systems and rituals. And Chapter 10, Explaining Things of Archaeological Interest, includes a discussion of middle range theory, mechanisms of cultural change, conceptual frameworks, development of agriculture, civilization growth and collapse, and dealing with competing explanations. Finally, an epilogue describes the status of the profession in the 21st century, its goals and its viability as a profession for students.Each chapter has a map of the archaeological sites, a list of key resources and suggestions for further reading. A substantial glossary, a bibliography and an index round out the written text. The CD Rom provided with the teacher's version includes an intructor's manual, with outlines and summaries of the book, learning outcomes and lecture suggestions. A Power Point presentation of the text includes slides of text and images that may be used in the classroom. Finally, a test bank of 200 multiple-choice questions from the text is provided in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF format.
Bottom Line
Introducing Archaeology is attractively formatted, with many black and white photos and drawings. The text is clearly meant for use with an introductory archaeology course in college, but certainly could be used for upper level high school courses. All in all, it is an excellent addition to the selection of introductory texts on the market today.- Introducing Archaeology, Pricegrabber
- Introducing Archaeology, Broadview Press
- More Introductory Archaeology Texts
- Archaeology 101
Comments
Dear Kris,
Nice review and recommendation. I can’t wait to see it myself this week. Thank you.
–Stan