A <strong>Companion to Archaeology</strong> features essays from 27 of the world8217sleading authorities on different types of archaeology that aim to define th... » 

A Companion to Archaeology features essays from 27 of the world8217sleading authorities on different types of archaeology that aim to define thefield and describe what it means to be an archaeologist. Shows thatcontemporary archaeology is an astonishingly broad activity with manycontrasting specializations and ways of approaching the material record of pastsocieties. Includes essays by experts in reading the past through artlinguistics or the built environment and by professionals who present thepast through heritage management and museums. Introduces the reader to a rangeof archaeologists those who devote themselves to the philosophy ofarchaeology those who see archaeology as politics or anthropology and thosewho contend that the essence of the discipline is a hard science. «