Archaeological Epistemology and Praxis: Multidimensional Context

Summary

This paper builds on ideas expressed by Taylor (1948) and Schiffer (1988) to argue that there is a foundational theory in archaeology that is pervasive, definitive, and underlies all archaeological epistemology and praxis. It is so basic an idea that it is thought of as an assumption rather than a theory, yet it is a major contribution from archaeology to scientific knowledge and practice. This theory is "context," which goes far beyond the three dimensions of object-space-time advocated by Willey and Phillips (1953) or the four dimensions of provenience and association as defined by Lyman (2012). This paper explores the multidimensionality of context as theory to recognize the unique and relevant contributions of archaeological epistemology and praxis to science.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

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