This book examines our understanding of the ways in which we produce and consume archaeological knowledge and proposes that this should play a greater role in our attempts to describe and comprehend the nature and purpose of archaeology, and the nature of archaeological knowledge. During the past fifty years prehistoric archaeologists have sought to promote or oppose several redefinitions of archaeological goals and approaches that have emphasized, variously, the liberating or constraining power of critical self-reflection. While practitioners have continued to expand the storehouse of archaeological data, they have also been engaged in active investigation of archaeological goals and approaches, and in intensifying debate over what it is proper or relevant for practitioners to do. Prehistoric archaeology is now much more than a method of data collection and analysis which is transformed into culture history (or exemplifications of material culture theory) by the acts of comparison and interpretation.

The central premise of this book is that the kind of understanding sought here should significantly improve our ability to work towards convincing solutions to many of the practical puzzles and problems with which we currently concern ourselves. The author also argues that this understanding will help to redefine the terms under which the collectivity of archaeological practitioners can be considered to be a functioning community.