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Systems in Archaeology: A Comment on Salmon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

John W. G. Lowe and
Robert J. Barth
John W. G. Lowe
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois, IL 61801
Robert J. Barth
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois, IL 61801
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Abstract

Salmon (1978) has discussed the role of systems theory and systems explanation in archaeology. Her article raises several salient points, such as the difficulties inherent in depending upon general systems theory to solve all archaeological problems. We would argue, however, that her conclusion, to wit, that general systems theory and mathematical systems theory are of no relevance to archaeologists, is overdrawn and that systems explanations offer archaeologists a valuable means of examining complex cultural phenomena.

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Type
Comments
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 45 , Issue 3 , July 1980, pp. 568 - 575
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1980 

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