7th March 2005, 06:23 PM
So..... its seems to me there's a problemn with the words people use but I really think some of the ideas are great.
The great thing about theory or interpretive archaeology is that we can get to a better understanding of the past by being critical of ourselves.
I don't mean trying to get rid of our assumptions but by understanding 'where we are coming from' and knowing that not all people have the same ideas about what something is, we can give better suggestings for the past.
For example, I may think a pot is a drinks container but to others it may be a display of wealth, a piece of rubbish, a marker of ethincity, a person etc.
Being critical is only one aspect of what 'theroy' really is, but theres lots of good stuff about it.
all we need is to get rid of the jargon.
Rhi
The great thing about theory or interpretive archaeology is that we can get to a better understanding of the past by being critical of ourselves.
I don't mean trying to get rid of our assumptions but by understanding 'where we are coming from' and knowing that not all people have the same ideas about what something is, we can give better suggestings for the past.
For example, I may think a pot is a drinks container but to others it may be a display of wealth, a piece of rubbish, a marker of ethincity, a person etc.
Being critical is only one aspect of what 'theroy' really is, but theres lots of good stuff about it.
all we need is to get rid of the jargon.
Rhi