Between Dirt and Discussion: Methods, Methodology and Interpretation in Historical Archaeology

Between Dirt and Discussion: Methods, Methodology and Interpretation in Historical Archaeology by Steven N. Archer and Kevin M. Bartoy. Interpretations of the past are subject to constant critical scrutiny in archaeology. Theoretical views have significantly changed our understanding of both "the past" and the relationship between archaeologists and their study object. However, the basic excavation and analytical methods used in archaeology have undergone little critical re-evaluation. This can lead to discussions starting as if data is already established, independent of the research design and analytical choices that produce it. This book explores how data is generated and interpreted by historical archaeologists, examining the intersection of "dirt" - the physical remains of the past - and "discussion" - the theoretical frameworks used to understand them. The contributors revisit old methods and approaches, incorporating new technologies to gain fresh insights into the past. By recentering the materials that make archaeology archaeology, this book aims to reinvigorate dialogues about the historic past and its understanding. By exploring the connections between methodology and interpretation, Archer and Bartoy offer a nuanced approach to historical archaeology, one that seeks to reinvigorate our understanding of the past.