Historical Archaeology: Why the Past Matters

What is historical archaeology and why is it important?Barbara Little, long-time archaeologist with the National Park Service, addresses these key questions for introductory students in this concise, inexpensive, and well-written text. Little covers the goals of historical archaeological work, the kinds of questions asked, and the ethical and political concerns addressed. She shows what historical archaeology can provide that neither of its parent disciplines can offer alone. She offers brief snapshots of key American sites: Jamestown, St. Augustine, West Oakland, the African American Burial Ground, the Garbage Project, among others. And she shows how historical archaeology is inextricably linked to public education, justice issues, and our collective understanding of the past.As an introductory guide for historical archaeology courses, or as a supplement for other undergraduate classes, this volume is unmatched in quality and scope.