Archaeology, history and theory : settlement and social relations in Central Italy A.D. 700-1000
The first two chapters of this thesis trace the development of historical and archaeological thought in an attempt to arrive at an understanding of the reasons behind the present polarization of the two disciplines. It is concluded that this polarization is the result of the stress placed on a series of oppositions -structure/agency, society/individual, synchrony/diachrony, past/present. It is argued that a rapprochement between History and Archaeology Is essential, especially for those who study the early med e.val period where both have some relevance, and that this rapprochement is only possible through an adequate theorisation of the recursive links which connect each of the oppositions. This theorisation is the subject of chapters 3 and 4. The essential elements of the theoretical perspective produced are that all the traces of the past should be seen as material culture produced by agents working in and through societal structures. The link between the past and the present is also stressed, and the past is seen as a resource drawn upon in the creation and negotiation of social relations. I use this theoretical perspective in a re-examination of the nature of settlement patterns and social structures
Moreland, John Francis
Archaeology
Archaeology, history and theory : settlement and social relations in Central Italy A.D. 700-1000. The first two chapters of this thesis trace the development of historical and archaeological thought in an attempt to arrive at an understanding of the reasons behind the present polarization of the two disciplines. It is concluded that this polarization is the result of the stress placed on a series of oppositions -structure/agency, society/individual, synchrony/diachrony, past/present. It is argued that a rapprochement between History and Archaeology Is essential, especially for those who study the early med e.val period where both have some relevance, and that this rapprochement is only possible through an adequate theorisation of the recursive links which connect each of the oppositions. This theorisation is the subject of chapters 3 and 4. The essential elements of the theoretical perspective produced are that all the traces of the past should be seen as material culture produced by agents working in and through societal structures. The link between the past and the present is also stressed, and the past is seen as a resource drawn upon in the creation and negotiation of social relations. I use this theoretical perspective in a re-examination of the nature of settlement patterns and social structures
archaeology history theory settlement social_relation central_italy first_two trace_development historical_archaeological thought attempt arrive reason_behind present polarization discipline conclude polarization stress place series opposition structure_agency society individual past_present argued rapprochement history_archaeology essential especially study early period relevance rapprochement possible adequate theorisation recursive link connect opposition theorisation subject essential_element theoretical_perspective produce trace past see material_culture produce agent work societal structure link past_present also stress past see resource drawn_upon creation negotiation social_relation use theoretical_perspective re_examination nature settlement_pattern social_structure