Contextualizing the theory of archaeological theorization

Summary

The controlled discursivization of various undiscursivized/practical archaeological taken-for-granteds, ranging from micro-culturally-constituted traditions in artifact classification to grand meta-theoretical inclinations, is a constitutive function of archaeological theorization. How can it be implemented in the manner which most effectively enhances the potentiality of one’s archaeological investigation and practice depends on the purpose of the investigation and practice, and on the characteristics of the context in which theorization takes place. This paper focuses on the latter constraint, and proposes that different discursivization strategies should be adopted in accordance with the target population(s) one aims to ‘affect’ through one’s archaeological practice/praxis. The argument will be supported by some concrete examples.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)   •
• Sound of Theory

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