Theory and Perspective: Essays in Chinese Archaeology

By: Chun Chen

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Synopsis: This book draws attention to the importance of theoretical problems in archaeological research in China. At present, Chinese archaeology has adoped the traditional culture-historical paradigm, with research themes has mainly focused on chronology and cultural relationships. The lack of training at theoretical thinking and scientific methods, such as positivist methods and logical reasoning, it has become difficult to reconstruct the processes of human behavior and social change with rigorous steps of looking at people behind the artifacts. As a response to this situation, this book discusses various problems that bother Chinese archaeologists in terms of the advances of archaeological theories and methods. This book emphasizes the importance for theoretical guidance and problem awareness in archaeological research, while illustrates this scientific philosophy with diversified case studies. The purpose of this volume is trying to summarize the history and practice of Chinese archaeology in the global context. It will greatly broaden the perspective of researchers all over the world with an insight into this particular practice and can also serve as a comprehensive reference work in the field of Chinese archaeology.