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Some Relationships between Behavioral and Evolutionary Archaeologies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Michael Brian Schiffer*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721

Abstract

Diversity in archaeology's social theories is desirable, but factioning of the discipline into antagonistic, paradigm-based camps undermines the scientific enterprise. In order to promote efforts at building bridges between different theoretical programs, this paper examines relationships between behavioral archaeology and evolutionary (selectionist) archaeology. Potential common ground is brought to light, incompatibilities are critically examined, and possible synergies are explored. It is concluded that there is no fundamental reason why these two programs cannot work in concert to achieve the goal of explaining behavioral (or evolutionary) change in human societies. Whether productive relationships can be established between other programs remains to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Resumen

Resumen

La diversidad de teorías sociales en arqueología es necesaria, pero la partition de la disciplina en facciones antagonísticas basadas en paradigmas sabotea la empresa científica. Para promover esfuerzos destinados a crear puentes entre programas teóricos distintos, este articulo examina las relaciones entre arqueología conductual y arqueología evolucionista (seleccionista). Se resaltan las áreas comunes, se examinan criticamente las incompatibilidades, y se exploran posibles sinergías. Se concluye que no existen razones fundamentales por las que estos programas no puedan trabajar en concierto para alcanzar la meta de explicar cambio conductual (o evolutivo) en sociedades humanas. La posibilidad de que se establezcan relaciones productivas entre otros programas queda por determinarse caso por caso.

Information

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1996

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