Major Theoretical Approaches of the 20th Century in Archaeology
Interpretive Approach
Foci of Inquiry
Time & Space questions
Culture History
Types of Questions about past
humans that are addressed
What happened? When & Where?
(Temporal/Spatial)
More descriptive than explanatory
Basis for Processualism &
Direct Historical Approach –
Postprocessualism
cultural continuities in descendant
groups through history (time)
Adaptations to various environmental How was past human behavior
Processualism
Cultural Ecology, Cultural
settings; processes of culture change; structured? Why do we see certain
materialism are major
strong alignment with Scientific
behavioral responses to changing
processual approaches
Approach; empiricism. Technoenvironments? Processes of
environmental materialism – direct
change, more on group level
material benefits (food, shelter,
More explanatory than descriptive
clothing, etc)
Focus is on ‘emic’ (insiders)
How do individuals contribute to
Postprocessualism
Cognitive Archaeology, Gender perspectives. Ideological & symbolic culture change? Why do we see
(feminist perspectives) &
systems are seen as important. NOT certain human behavioral
Marxist approaches are part of so much emphasis on technology &
responses to changing perceptions
postprocessualism
the environment or use of quantitative of the universe? Social relations?
methods to explain culture
More explanatory than descriptive