Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology as Historical Process

摘要: Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology as Historical Process. KENNETH E. SASSAMAN and DONALD H. HOLLY JR. (eds.). University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 2011. viii, 341 pp., illus., maps. $60 (cloth), ISBNT3 978-08165-2925-4.This book brings together a diverse group scholars whose work focuses on overturning misconceptions about hunter-gatherers "primitive" living in often isolated societies, instead stressing historical contingency the material evidence social cultural change. Through studies that emphasize complexity, interaction, mobility, innovation, papers this volume present refreshing new view North American continent. Though each chapter references different geographic setting, consistent themes persist throughout volume, which resulted from productive Society for session subsequent Amerind Foundation workshop participants. Consequently, is unified holistic hunter-gatherer archaeology process.The organized into three sections: Part 1, "Agents History Evolution" (4 chapters); 2, "The Sociality Practice" 3, Structure Process" (3 chapters). Also included are an introduction by Kenneth Sassaman Donald Holly Jr., concluding Martin Wobst he offers reflection past, present, future studies.Sassaman preface with to main concepts weave through authors' case studies. In paramount understanding past. Using components agency theory practice theory, authors underscore lived experience transforming element society. Specifically, Pauketat's (Anthropological Theory 1:73-98, 2001) concept "historical processualism" important central component volume. They state processualism "the dynamic interplay between actions people take structure constrains enables these actions" (p. 3) revealed remains past cultures. editors acknowledge not all participants may feel their explicitly historically processual nature, it does appear none would disagree basic tenets applied studies.In first section focus way our interpretive perspective shapes archaeological huntergatherers advocate more nuanced readings essence, development (and demise) societies was based complex negotiation individual actors, groups, environment. This say simple environmental determinism warranted but, instead, environment one factor However, meander history, back forth people, allowed affect change, whether or intentionally. argued For example, Hull employs examination site obsidian debitage density look at demographic change Sierra Nevada California, advocating shift writ large small-scale communities, making possible examine men, women, children active creation maintenance community.In second means production. Just today create monuments provide selective remembering events (as I write weekend tenth anniversary September 11, around me), similarly created places structural linkages were both continuity identity. …