Cambridge Companion To Historical Archaeology, The

Description:
The Cambridge Companion to Historical Archaeology provides an overview of the international field of historical archaeology (c. AD 1500 to the present) through seventeen specially-commissioned essays from leading researchers in the field. The volume explores key themes in historical archaeology including documentary archaeology, the writing of historical archaeology, colonialism, capitalism, industrial archaeology, maritime archaeology, cultural resource management and urban archaeology. Three special sections explore the distinctive contributions of material culture studies, landscape archaeology and the archaeology of buildings and the household. Drawing on case studies from North America, Europe, Australasia, Africa and around the world, the volume captures the breadth and diversity of contemporary historical archaeology, considers archaeology's relationship with history, cultural anthropology and other periods of archaeological study, and provides clear introductions to alternative conceptions of the field. This book is essential reading for anyone studying or researching the material remains of the recent past.

Review:
'One of the most intellectually lively areas of archaeology at the moment is that concerned with the modern world. A combination of the richness of the material, theory concerning human engagements with the material world and its ability to speak to current issues of identity makes historical archaeology both stimulating and controversial. This excellent book encapsulates all these key elements.' Chris Gosden, School of Archaeology, University of Oxford 'Written from the contextual approach, this volume shows that the right and the left in historical archaeology make a preferential treatment of the poor and of their place in an improved society. Thus, historical archaeology is far more unified than supposed. These overviews will guide professionals through central debates in historical archaeology with enough opinion to punctuate the field's development with both intelligence and provocation.' Mark P. Leone, Department of Anthropology, University of Maryland 'In The Cambridge Companion to Historical Archaeology, Dan Hicks and Mary Beaudry have produced exactly what is needed ... This book is perfectly pitched and well timed and shows us how as well as where to look for ourselves.' Times Higher Education Supplement 'The collection of 'passionate and personal' essays in The Cambridge Companion to Historical Archaeology provides a worthwhile general introduction to historical archaeology and a valuable theoretical and methodological source book. It presents a range of venerated and fresh case studies, and it will certainly serve as a stimulating resource for teaching.' South African Archaeological Bulletin '... valuable and timely ...' British Archaeology 'Beaudry and Hicks have edited an important collection of essays, with most chapters double-authored by a North American contributor and an author from elsewhere, giving a wider choice of examples and a greater range of different emphases than might otherwise be the case.' Antiquity 'If one were wishing for an overview of the discipline, it would be best to start with [the Cambridge Companion to Historical Archaeology].' Antiquity

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction: the place of historical archaeology Dan Hicks and Mary C. Beaudry; Part I. Archaeology and History: 2. Documentary archaeology Laurie Wilkie; 3. Historical archaeology and time Gavin Lucas; 4. Writing historical archaeology Rosemary Joyce; Part II. Key Themes in Historical Archaeology: 5. Historical archaeology and colonialism Susan Lawrence and Nick Shepherd; 6. Urban historical archaeology Tadhg O'Keeffe and Rebecca Yamin; 7. Archaeology, heritage and the recent and contemporary past John Schofield and Bill Johnson; 8. Marxism and capitalism in historical archaeology Randall McGuire; 9. Archaeology and industrialisation Jim Symonds and Eleanor Casella; 10. Historical maritime archaeology Joe Flatman and Mark Staniforth; Part III. Historical Archaeology and Material Culture: 11. Material culture studies and historical archaeology Matthew D. Cochran and Mary C. Beaudry; 12. Ceramic studies in historical archaeology David Barker and Teresita Majewski; Part IV. Historical Archaeology and Landscapes: 13. Landscapes and memories Cornelius Holtorf and Howard Williams; 14. Landscapes, ideology and experience in historical archaeology Lu Ann De Cunzo and Julie Ernstein; Part V. Historical Archaeology and Buildings: 15. Historical archaeology and buildings Dan Hicks and Audrey Horning; 16. Household archaeology, difference and identity Julia King; 17. Afterword: historical archaeology in the wider discipline Barry Cunliffe.

Author Biography:
Dan Hicks is Lecturer-Curator in Archaeology of the Modern Period at the School of Archaeology and Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford. He is also a Fellow of St Cross College, Oxford and a Research Fellow at the Department of Archaeology, Boston University. Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology, Boston University.