No More Theory Wars: A Response to Moss

2005 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 588-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Hegmon
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Political Engagement ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Broad Perspective ◽  
American Archaeology ◽  
North American Archaeology ◽  
Critical Perspectives

There is a gap between discussions of theory and of practice in North American archaeology. More political engagement by archaeologists would be desirable. Regarding these and other issues, Moss and I agree. However, I also believe that the open-mindedness and dearth of theoretical schisms characteristic of Processual-plus archaeology is desirable. Critical perspectives such as Marxist and feminist approaches can be included in this broad perspective, and can thus contribute to both the advancement of knowledge and political agendas. More consideration and analysis of the linkages between theory and practice would be fruitful.

Rifts in the Theoretical Landscape of Archaeology in the United States: A Comment on Hegmon and Watkins

2005 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 581-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madonna L. Moss
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
The United States ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Cultural Resource Management ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Archaeological Theory ◽  
American Archaeology ◽  
Political Consequences ◽  
North American Archaeology ◽  
Contemporary Practice

Recent papers by Michelle Hegmon (2003) and Joe Watkins (2003) purport to “map the terrain” of North American archaeology. Yet these two metaphorical maps present very different views of the contours of North American archaeology. Taken together, the two papers highlight problematic divisions between (1) theory and practice in North American archaeology, and (2) academic archaeology and cultural resource management. What are the roles archaeological theory plays in the contemporary practice of archaeology? Why do discussions of archaeological theory have so little to offer stakeholders other than academic archaeologists? Although Hegmon has shown many areas of convergence in archaeological theory, her depiction of “processual-plus” archaeologies dulls the edge of postprocessual critiques of the processual status quo. I argue that feminist, Marxist, and postcolonial archaeologies cannot be subsumed by this label because some of their practitioners aspire to contribute to social change beyond the realm of archaeology itself. These practitioners realize that the practice of archaeology always has political consequences, not just for academic archaeologists, but for a diverse set of stakeholders.

scholarly journals The Digital Index of North American Archaeology: networking government data to navigate an uncertain future for the past

Antiquity ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (362) ◽  
pp. 490-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric C. Kansa ◽  
Sarah W. Kansa ◽  
Josh J. Wells ◽  
Stephen J. Yerka ◽  
Kelsey N. Myers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
American Archaeology ◽  
The Past ◽  
North American Archaeology ◽  
Government Data ◽  
Uncertain Future ◽  
Image Position

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