Discovering Our Past: A Brief Introduction to Archaeology

by Wendy Ashmore, Robert J. Sharer

A brief, inexpensive introduction to the techniques, methods, and theoretical frameworks of contemporary archaeology. Derived from the authors' Archaeology: Discovering Our Past, this book follows the same organizing principle but in less detail.

Genres: Archaeology, Anthropology, Textbooks, Nonfiction, School, History

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1988

Reviews

[Jaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

fajne obrazki

[Rusty del Norte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discovering our Past, by Wendy Ashmore, is a book about exploring the field of archaeology. This book is not intended to be a survey of past discoveries & important people (though there there is some of that). Bbut instead a book explaining how this field works both on the site & off.

The first part deals with the outline of the field. Time frames, methods, & schools of thought are described for the reader. It lays the foundation. The middle section has to deal more with what is on the ground. Technologies, techniques, & methodologies are given more deatil to show what all is needed (or can be used) for an excavation.

The final part is about applying archaeology to a variety methods, fields of study, & importance to today. Newer approaches help reinterpret the past that can compliment the other ways.

Overall, it an read a bit wooden. But, this book was not written with the casual reader in mind. Instead, its a way of getting you ready to explore this field as, when combined with other fields of study, show it is more important than ever.