Introductory archaeology text

Could anyone recommend a good basic introductory text about archaeology? There are a few listed on Amazon which get good reviews, but just wondered if anyone had any suggestions…

7 Responses to "Introductory archaeology text"

Graeme Earl says:

June 2, 2013 at 9:43 am

Hi Caroline,

the Archaeological Method module taught to our UG archaeologists includes the following suggested reading. Note that there are more recent editions of many of these.

Cheers,

Graeme

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Graeme Earl says:

June 2, 2013 at 9:48 am

I should have added that since all of the UG archaeologists participating in the Portus Field School will have completed this module and a week of field training the idea is that they are able to assist in your learning. We find that getting students to explain skills is an excellent way of them learning more, and hopefully those of you on the CI module will be able to do the same in terms of the specific disciplinary skills you bring to the Field School.

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Graeme Earl says:

June 2, 2013 at 11:57 am

You might also be interested in signing up for Sue Alcock’s archaeology MOOC which is starting soon.

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1. Dragana Mladenovic says:
  
  June 2, 2013 at 1:02 pm
  
  Hi,
  
  There are many books out there, and others might add their personal favorites to this list, but I think you’ll find these useful.
  
  For an introduction to archaeology as a discipline and its methods take a look at:
  • Bahn P. & Renfrew, C. (lots of editions), Archaeology: Theory, Methods and Practice (one of earlier editions can be downloaded from http://www.gobookee.net/archaeology-theories-methods-practice-renfrew/)
  • Carver, M. (2010) Archaeological Investigation
  • Hodder, I. (1999) The Archaeological Process
  
  The following explain the basis of archaeological fieldwork:
  • Drewett, P.L. (1999) Field archaeology : An introduction
  • Baker, P. (1977) Techniques of archaeological excavation (can be downloaded for free from http://www.gobookee.net/barker-techniques-of-archaeological-excavation/)
  • Harris, E.C. (1989) Principles of archaeological stratigraphy (can be downloaded for free from http://www.harrismatrix.com/)
  
  For geophysics try:
  • Gater, J. and Gaffney, C. (2003) Revealing the buried past : geophysics for archaeologists
  
  It would be interesting to hear which ones you found most useful!
  
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Caroline Miles says:

June 2, 2013 at 12:59 pm

Thanks Graeme. I will look forward to reading some of the texts and hearing from the other undergraduates.

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1. Stephen Upton says:
  
  June 6, 2013 at 12:44 pm
  
  Hi,
  In addition to the books already mentioned I have found that Clive Gambles’ ‘Archaeology: the basics’ has some very clever ideas about how to analyse finds and discoveries made.
  Hope that helps!!!
  
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Graeme Earl says:

June 11, 2013 at 10:58 am

We have also added a Handbook section to the blog where we will provide more information about on site working.

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