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Foundations of Social Archaeology: Selected Writings of V. Gordon Childe

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Foundations of Social Archaeology: Selected Writings of V. Gordon Childe
Authors and Contributors      Edited by Thomas C. Patterson
Edited by Charles E. Orser Jr.
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:288
Dimensions(mm): Height 234,Width 156
Category/GenreArchaeology
ISBN/Barcode 9781845202736
ClassificationsDewey:930.1
Audience
Tertiary Education (US: College)
Illustrations index

Publishing Details

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint Berg Publishers
Publication Date 1 April 2005
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

V. Gordon Childe is probably the most widely read early archaeologist of the 20th century and one of the world's most renowned prehistorians. A thorough understanding of the evolution of Childe's theoretical perspective is crucial to an understanding of the foundations of social archaeology. For the first time, a diverse collection of Childe's writings have been brought together in one volume. These fourteen essays, from his earliest seminal work in 1935 to his reflective essay "Retrospect" written in 1958 shortly before his death, document the progression of this dynamic thinker. Essays such as "Archaeology and Anthropology" show the evolution of Childe's theories from a conception of the past as a trait-list conceptualization of culture to an understanding of the profound social importance of social relations in transforming human history. His understanding of history evolved from a static notion into a dynamic conception that openly embraced social interaction and all that it entailed, a transformation that marked the earliest strains of social archaeology. The introduction by prominent anthropologists Thomas Patterson and Charles Orser places Childe's work in a larger context and explores Chile's ongoing value to modern readers. This volume will be of interest to archeologists, anthropologists and historians of social archaeology.

Author Biography

Thomas C. Patterson is Distinguished Professor and Chair of Anthropology at the University of California, Riverside. Charles E. Orser, Jr. is Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at Illinois State University and Adjunct Professor of Archaeology at the National University of Ireland at Galway.