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What Can Systems Theory Do for Archaeology?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Merrilee H. Salmon
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Abstract

This paper examines the relevance of systems theory to archaeology. General Systems Theory and Mathematical Systems Theory are considered. Although it is important for archaeologists to look at the materials they study as components of a larger cultural and ecological context, neither version of systems theory can offer archaeologists much help in constructing archaeological theories or in providing models of archaeological explanation.

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American Antiquity , Volume 43 , Issue 2 , April 1978, pp. 174 - 183
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1978

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