Combat Archaeology: Material Culture and Modern Conflict

Debates in Archaeology

by John Schofield

The archaeology of recent conflict is a fast-moving field of research. It is challenging and provocative. It deals with established historical events for which the material remains are unquestionably heritage, but also the more recent, tragic and heavily politicized events, actions and places whose meaning and significance is more ambiguous. But although recent and familiar, it is also a subject that draws closely on established principles of archaeological theory and practice, while also connecting with the related fields of history, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, art and representation. John Schofield draws together projects and ideas from a diverse literature and from his own research, presenting them as a worked example of contemporary archaeology, of heritage management practice and of archaeological principles and theory. This study encapsulates a lively area of current debate: fascinating, challenging, controversial, contemporary and cross-disciplinary.

Genres: Archaeology

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Professor John Schofield (BA PhD FSA MIfA) is Director of the Cultural Heritage Management MA programme and Director of the Centre for Applied Heritage Studies (CAHSt) at the University of York, England.

Reviews

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

In many ways, a very useful book in the realms of conflict archaeology and heritage management. As a proud citizen of the United States, I found the long sections devoted to English heritage management legislation a bit tedious, but overall it was a useful book. Chapters lifted from it could be well used in a conflict archaeology class.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to combat archaeology. I also appreciate Schofield's attempt to engage more with contemporary archaeological theory and to provide a theoretical framework for modern combat sites, something that is sorely lacking in many combat archaeology chapters, articles and books.