Conditions of emergence and existence of archaeology in the 19th century : the Royal Archaeological Institute, 1843-1914
Traditional histories of archaeology have left lacunae in understanding of both the discipline and elements within it. Using the Royal Archaeological Institute and its product, the Archaeological Journal, as a pattern site for research the archaeological paradigm is applied to history rather than vice-versa. After a short explanation of method the published membership of the Institute between 1845 and 1942 is analysed in terms of geographical distribution, social composition and occupational interest. In the process the dynamics of a will to discourse are revealed in conjunction with the areas of discourse which were problematic. The text of the Journal (1843-1914) is then analysed on the basis of format, citations, terminology, tropes and objects of discussion in order to identify any 'statements', in the Foucauldian sense, which constitute the objects of discourse. Three major phases emerge. These are characterised at one level by similarities and differences in social and cognitive topography. At another level the conditions of existence and emergence revealed in the study suggest that archaeology itself is a characteristic of the Modem episteme, intimately linked in its successive modes of exploration
Eddatson, Linda
Modernity; Social networks; Foucault
Conditions of emergence and existence of archaeology in the 19th century : the Royal Archaeological Institute, 1843-1914. Traditional histories of archaeology have left lacunae in understanding of both the discipline and elements within it. Using the Royal Archaeological Institute and its product, the Archaeological Journal, as a pattern site for research the archaeological paradigm is applied to history rather than vice-versa. After a short explanation of method the published membership of the Institute between 1845 and 1942 is analysed in terms of geographical distribution, social composition and occupational interest. In the process the dynamics of a will to discourse are revealed in conjunction with the areas of discourse which were problematic. The text of the Journal (1843-1914) is then analysed on the basis of format, citations, terminology, tropes and objects of discussion in order to identify any 'statements', in the Foucauldian sense, which constitute the objects of discourse. Three major phases emerge. These are characterised at one level by similarities and differences in social and cognitive topography. At another level the conditions of existence and emergence revealed in the study suggest that archaeology itself is a characteristic of the Modem episteme, intimately linked in its successive modes of exploration
conditions emergence existence archaeology royal archaeological institute traditional history_archaeology leave discipline element_within using royal archaeological institute product archaeological journal pattern site archaeological paradigm apply history rather vice_versa short explanation method publish membership institute analyse term geographical_distribution social_composition occupational interest process dynamic discourse reveal conjunction area discourse problematic text journal analyse basis format citation terminology object discussion order_identify statements foucauldian sense constitute object discourse three_major phase emerge characterised level similarity_differences social cognitive topography another level condition existence emergence reveal study suggest archaeology characteristic modem intimately_link successive mode exploration