Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice

by Colin Renfrew, Paul Bahn, Paul G. Bahn

Book Overview

The third edition of this best-selling introduction to what archaeologists do and how they do it has been entirely revised and updated in the light of new views, discoveries, and data. Developments in the technology and scope of archaeology are reflected in an increased emphasis on aspects ranging from GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and information on the Internet to gender archaeology and the latest thinking on post-processualism and cognitive...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0500050791
• ISBN13: 9780500050798
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson
• Length: 608 Pages
• Weight: 2.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 7.6" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Great Reference as well as Introduction

Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice provides a great introduction to the various aspects of archaeology. It would be a marvellous addition to the library of any archaeology enthusiast. It provides the theory and description of archaeological methods as well as many real world examples. As a result, despite a potentially very dry subject matter, this book is not a hard read. It is especially appropriate for any amateur who tries to keep up on archaeology and encounters new words/ideas. Since the coverage is encyclopedic, you will undoubtably find the explanations you want in this book!

Archaeology: a book to inspire

This is probably one of the best books I've ever read on the subject, and although I've studied archaeology as an interest since childhood, this text rekindled an old love. It is well written and easily read and gives a good overview of the discipline with interesting archaeological sites from all over the world used to illustrate the techniques discussed. I enjoyed the volume so thoroughly I've actually read it twice and will probably read it again in the future just for the enjoyment alone.

THE Introductory textbook

Speaking as an archaeology student who just finished a class using this textbook, I can do naught else but overflow with praise for this book. Eminently readable, it proved to be well-adapted to taking notes, and was interesting enough that it was sometimes hard to put down. Renfrew and Bahn provide an excellent survey of world archaeology, and they do not fall into the trap of using jargon and big words. This contrasts sharply with the anthropology textbooks I've suffered through, many of which seem to have been written while the authors were constipated. Overall, a superior book. Also notable for being relatively low-priced, which is a bonus for us students. Perhaps this is proof that someone in academia does care! It compares well to some of the $80, razor-thin anthropology textbooks I've wasted my money on. I highly recommend this book to anyone at all interested in archaeology.

Perfect introductory manual

This is a great book. I read this book for my methods and theories class and it was very complete and easy to understand. Especially helpful are the explicit "real life" examples of the text comcepts. I would recommend this book to trained archaeologists, 'armchair' archaeologists and students.

Excellent summary of the discipline

Widely respected among professional archaeologists as an excellent introductory text. It also reads well for the layman. I would reccomend this volume, both to students of archaeology, as well as to anyone with a more casual interest in the subject. By understanding the theories and practices which define the modern discipline of archaeology, the casual reader will be well equiped to distinguish valid theories from the pleathora of pseudo-science archaeology which tends to clog the shelves of this section in your average bookstore