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Archaeological Thinking: How to Make Sense of the Past (Paperback)

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Description


How do archaeologists think? How do archaeologists take the scattered and fragmentary remains collected from past settlements and create meaningful, reasonable interpretations of past human history? In the second edition of Archaeological Thinking, Charles E. Orser, Jr. provides answers to these questions and more by explaining in non-technical language the most basic elements of critical thinking in archaeology. This book explores and explains such topics as: -the use of logic in framing arguments -the curious issue of fact selection -the use of analogies -the role of archaeology in contemporary society and among present-day communities -approaches to understanding the past -and the dangers of deceitful archaeological thinking. Examples taken from the world of ancient aliens, mythical sunken cities, and mysterious creatures help readers learn how to separate reality from fiction regardless of their desire to become a professional archaeologist.

About the Author


Charles E. Orser, Jr. is an anthropological archaeologist who investigates the modern world as it was created after about 1492. A retired Distinguished Professor at Illinois State University, he is now affiliated with the School of Human Evolution and Social Change at Arizona State University. He is the author of one hundred professional articles and several books and is the founder and editor of the International Journal of Historical Archaeology.

Product Details
ISBN: 9781538177235
ISBN-10: 1538177234
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publication Date: July 18th, 2023
Pages: 196
Language: English