Critically Reading the Theory and Methods of Archaeology
An Introductory Guide
By (author) Guy Gibbon
Publication date:
12 September 2013Length of book:
254 pagesPublisher
AltaMira PressDimensions:
236x158mm6x9"
ISBN-13: 9780759123403
Critically Reading the Theory and Methods of Archaeology stands out as the most thorough and practical guide to the essential critical reading and writing skills that all students, instructors, and practitioners should have.It provides priceless insight for the here and now of the Theory and Methods of Archaeology classes and for a lifetime of reading, learning, teaching, and writing. Chapters focus on rigorous reasoning skills, types of argument, the main research orientations in archaeology, the basic procedural framework that underlies all schools of archaeology, and issues in archaeology raised by skeptical postmodernists.
Gibbon’s main goal with this book is clearly indicated by his title: he wants readers to think critically when reading archaeological texts. He suggests that his book is appropriate for undergraduates, graduate students, nonprofessionals, and also professional archaeologists. He further suggests that students engaged in thesis writing and also professional archaeologists might find the book useful in helping them write more clearly and coherently. I think Gibbon succeeds with these goals, and I agree that both students and professionals will benefit from reading his book. . . .Gibbon’s writing is refreshingly clear: he practices what he preaches! I think undergraduates will find his writing accessible, and will also appreciate the brevity of the chapters, as I did. . . .Gibbon offers an up-to-date, concise, and readable summary of archaeological theory, informal logic, statistics, and philosophy of science. Undergraduates, graduates, and professionals alike might find that this book will not only make them more critical readers of archaeology, but also better writers of archaeology. That is, Gibbon’s book has the potential to make us better archaeologists.