Perhaps the largest contribution of “post-processual” thought has been that data on tangible things are indispensable but never enough; we must also take account of ancient thoughts, attitudes, and the meanings of objects. In the absence of ample texts, this poses a grave challenge. It won’t do simply to make intuitive leaps and claim that they must be correct, and the notion of “multiple pasts” is simply an evasion. Assuredly, there are multiple legitimate “takes” on the past, but the past was real, and we must try to get it right.
We can only approach this by taking a skeptical and critical attitude toward one another’s ideas, constructive in tone but constantly demanding that all steps in the reasoning be explicit and that all reasonable alternatives be considered and assessed in the light of evidence.
Source
Cowgill, George L. 2008 How I got to where I am now: One thing after another, a (mostly) linear narrative. Ancient Mesoamerica 19:165–173.
