The Oxford Handbook of Archaeology

Archaeology is a vast subject - it is the study of human society everywhere in the world, from distant human origins 3-4 million years ago up to the present day. The Oxford Handbook of Archaeology brings together 35 authors - all specialists in their own fields - to explain what archaeology is really about. This is one of the most comprehensive treatments of the subject and of the key debates ever attempted. It is designed to open up the world of archaeology to non-specialists and to provide an essential starting point for those who want to pursue particular topics in more depth.

Barry Cunliffe, University of Oxford, Emeritus Professor of European Archaeology,Chris Gosden, University of Oxford, Professor of European Archaeology,Rosemary A. Joyce, University of California at Berkeley, Professor, Department of Anthropology

Barry Cunliffe, Emeritus Professor of European Archaeology, University of Oxford

Chris Gosden, Professor of European Archaeology, University of Oxford

Rosemary A. Joyce, Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of California at Berkeley

Introduction, Barry Cunliffe
1. The Name and Nature of Archaeology
The discipline of archaeology, Kristian Kristiansen
The formative century, 1860-1960, Robin Boast
The theoretical scene, 1960-2000, Matthew H. Johnson
Into the future, Andy Jones
Technologies, Marcia-Anne Dobres
2. Tools of the Trade
Measuring the passage of time, achievements and challenges in archaeological dating, A. M. Pollard
Human activity in a spatial context, Gary Lock
Data collection by excavation, Roger White
Mastering materials, M. S. Tite
3. Early Humans
The nature of humanness, Jonathan Marks
Early hominids, Nicholas Toth & Kathy Schick
The emergence of Home sapiens sapiens, William Davies
The Neanderthals, Paul Pettitt
Peopling the world, Steven Mithen
4. Strategies for Survival
Hunters and gatherers, Peter Mitchell
Early farming and domestication, Graeme Barker
Studying diet, Robert Hedges
5. Complex Societies and the Formation of Early States
Cultural complexity, Ian Morris
Trade and interaction, Robin Skeates
China: state formation and urbanization, Li Liu
Mesoamerica, Elizabeth M. Brumfiel
The central Andean region in prehistory, Terence N. D'Altroy
6. Some Regional Overviews
The Mediterranean and its hinterland, Cyprian Broodbank
The archaeology of sub-Saharan Africa: an overview, Innocent Pikirayi
Pre-Islamic Central Asia, Georgina Herrmann
The Circumpolar zone, Bryan C. Hood
East Asia, S. Nelson
Australasia, Lesley Head, Harry Allen, Tim Denham & Richard Fullagar
Pacific Islands, Chris Gosden
North America, Charles R. Cobb & Randall H. McGuire
South American archaeology, P. P. Funari, A. Zarankin & E. Stovel
7. Issues and Debates
Indigenous voices and repatriation, Jonathan Williams
Sex and gender, Roberta Gilchrist
Archaeological representation: the consumption and creation of the past, Stephanie Moser
Community archaeology, Yvonne Marshall