A Marxist Archaeology

by Randall H. McGuire

Overview

A rich intellectual tradition that offers archaeologists a way around many seemingly irresolvable theoretical oppositions, Marxism deserves a place in the philosophical and substantive debates in archaeology. This book applies Marxist theory to archaeology, explores long-term historical change and cultural evolution, and advocates a dialectical and historical approach to the study of the past. Originally published by Academic Press in 1992, this edition features a new prologue by the author.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780971242746
Publisher:	Eliot Werner Publications
Publication date:	03/28/2002
Series:	Foundations of Archaeology
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	319
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Randall H. Mc Guire, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York

Table of Contents

Prologue to the Percheron Press Edition Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. A Brief History of Marxism Chapter 3. Archaeology and Marxism Chapter 4. The Dialectic: Marxism as a Theory of Relations Chapter 5. The Making of History Chapter 6. History and Evolution Chapter 7. Death and Society in a Hohokam Community Chapter 8. Critical Archaeology: Archaeology and the Vanishing American Chapter 9. The Praxis of Archaeology References Index

Editorial Reviews

From the Prologue to the Percheron Press Edition "The unique contribution that Marxism can make to archaeology comes from the integration of [its three parts] to gain knowledge of, critique, and take action in the world. . . . [T]his integration is an ongoing, dynamic, and never-ending process. My starting point for this process is to be found in A Marxist Archaeology and I hope that other archaeologists will find my efforts helpful as they begin their journey." From the reviews "[Mc Guire] recognizes that no study of humanity can operate effectively without an engagement with the broader intellectual tradition of Marxism, and he is capable, through the clarity of his writing, to convey these insights and the arguments that support them to a wider and perhaps more skeptical audience." John C. Barrett in American Anthropologist "Mc Guire provides a broad overview of Marxist theory and Marxist archaeology. He supplies a valuable bibliography and brief discussions of the contributions of almost every significant Marxist thinker . . . [and] demonstrates the wealth of debate within contemporary Marxism." Elizabeth M. Brumfiel in American Antiquity

From the Publisher

In this reprint (with a new prologue by the author) of a 1992 work (Academic Press), McGuire (State U. of New York at Binghamton) argues that Marxist theory can be invaluable to archaeologists attempting to explain cultural change in past societies. He doesn't push a single method or theoretical model, preferring to survey the range of archaeologists who apply Marxist insights and to examine the ways in which other theories such as Immanuel Wallerstein's world systems theory or structural theory can contribute to a Marxist archaeology. Percheron Press is the reprint imprint of Eliot Werner Publications. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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