Archaeology Essentials: Theories, Methods, and Practice

by Colin Renfrew, Elizabeth Demarrais, Colin Renfrew

Still authoritative, now thoroughly updated by new co-author Elizabeth DeMarrais


This authoritative survey of archaeological practice takes a unique approach by launching each chapter with an important question that archaeologists consider. In this edition, new co-author Elizabeth DeMarrais, an expert in the archaeology of the Americas, introduces recent discoveries and advances in methodology, analysis, and interpretation, paying special attention to the contributions of women, people of color, and Indigenous communities, and to how the discipline is changing amid calls for decolonization and diversification.

Genres: Archaeology, Anthropology, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Science, History, Read For School

351 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 21, 2011

About the author

Andrew Colin Renfrew, Baron Renfrew of Kaimsthorn was a British archaeologist, paleolinguist and Conservative peer noted for his work on radiocarbon dating, the prehistory of languages, archaeogenetics, neuroarchaeology, and the prevention of looting at archaeological sites.
Renfrew was also the Disney Professor of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge and Director of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and was a Senior Fellow of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research.

Reviews

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This textbook is far more readable than many other textbooks I've read in college. The main material is clear and concise, and the illustrations are effective at providing visual context for the ideas discussed. The pop-outs are somewhat less helpful, though they are designed to be deeper dives into side content, so perhaps they're simply doing what they're meant to do. I was quite impressed with the quality of this textbook and learned a lot as an introduction to archaeolgical practice.

[Gary Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction for me. I liked the early key advances section.

[Riversue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It is clear and concise yet jam packed with fascinating details and a great overview of the basic theories of archaeology.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for university. Offered great introduction to archaeological practices.

[Raphaela Folia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ξεκίνησα αυτό το βιβλίο λόγω ενός μαθήματος (αρχαιολογίας) στο πανεπιστήμιο
αρκετά ενδιαφέρον και μαθαίνεις πολλά πράγματα γύρω από το αντικείμενο

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

For an introduction survey style book it goes rather in depth into the more nitty gritty science behind archaeology. Overall, it is a good solid survey of the field. Some chapters, the more nitty gritty ones, were more challenging to get through than others. That said, I left feeling like I understood the subject a lot better, which was good.

[Katherine Christofferson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This textbook is quite fascinating. I really enjoyed learning about archaeology, and this book was very clear with good definitions and examples.

[Rachel Bayles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, concise, and well-written. Provides a taste of everything, without going too deeply into any one thing.

[Dejanira Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

.*still reading just dont feel like keeping track since it's a college textbook*