Anthropology, Department of
Date of this Version
2004
Citation
Wandsnider, LuAnn
2004 Solving the Puzzle of the Archaeological Labyrinth: Time Perspectivism in Mediterranean Surface Archaeology. In: Side-by Side Survey: Comparative Regional Studies in the Mediterranean World, edited by S. Alcock and J. Cherry, pp. 46-68. Oxbow Press, Oxford.
Abstract
This chapter critiques the currently embraced paradigm in Mediterranean surface archaeology of regional/settlement pattern studies – seated in flat-time functional metaphysic. As shown by Mediterranean archaeologists, that chronotype does not deal well with either complexity or history. And, attending methods, also as demonstrated by Mediterranean archaeologists, do not consistently accommodate or satisfactorily assign meaning to the varied archaeological landscape. But another formational metaphysic exists and seems better to comprehend the complex, historical world and to acknowledge landscape variation.This chapter argues for approaches to the Mediterranean landscape that accept and embrace a time perspectivism.