Historical Archaeology: Why the Past Matters

by Barbara J. Little

What is historical archaeology and why is it important? Well-known archaeologist Barbara Little addresses these key questions for introductory students in this concise, inexpensive, and well-written text. Little covers the goals of historical archaeological work, the kinds of questions it asks, and the ethical and political concerns it raises. She shows what historical archaeology can provide that neither of its parent disciplines can offer alone. Little offers brief snapshots of key American sites: Jamestown, Mission San Luis, West Oakland, the African American Burial Ground, and the Garbage Project, among others. And she shows how historical archaeology is inextricably linked to public education, justice issues, and our collective understanding of the past. As an introductory guide for historical archaeology and similar courses, or as thought-provoking reading for professionals, this volume is unmatched in quality and scope.

Genres: Archaeology, Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2006

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the subject. The book and the chapters are both very short, which works for this level of intro. About one third of the text is a "windshield survey" of significant projects. The other two thirds covers goals, ethics, and methods of historic archaeology. The 'Further Readings' section is very thorough and useful, especially as a jumping off place for certain specific topics. Being a professional in this field, I was impressed with how much useful information was here.