Formation Processes of the Archaeological Record

by Michael Brian Schiffer

This handbook synthesizes the most important principles of cultural and environmental formation processes for both students and practicing archaeologists.

Formation Process of the Archaeological Record embodies a vision that the cultural past is knowable, but only when the nature of the evidence is thoroughly understood. It shows how the past is accessible in practice by identifying variability introduced by the diverse effects of people and nature that in some sum, form the archaeological record.

For students, it is intended as both an introduction and guide in method and theory, field work, and analysis. Practicing archaeologists will find it a valuable checklist of sources of variability when observations on the archaeological record are used to justify inferences.

Genres: Archaeology, Anthropology

448 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1987

About the author

Michael Brian Schiffer is Fred A. Riecker Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at the University of Arizona and Research Associate at the Lemelson Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. He is the author of six previous books on technology.

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapter One:

Chapter Two:

Chapter Three:

[NGeorge · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, well written book and essential read for every budding and accomplished archaeologist and enthusiasts alike. The writing is a bit too academic on rare occasions.