The Harshness of The Ethnographic Record in Archaeology, or The Archaeology and Ethnology of Hunters and Gatherers

Abstract

The constraints placed on anthropological fieldwork may have generated controversy in the literature on hunter-gatherers, resulting in the development of several ideas related to time, space, and behavior. This study examines the historical context of several conceptual frameworks and highlights the common use of anthropological theory by archaeologists in relation to these frameworks. Furthermore, this implies that specific formations may have been insufficient in their ability to effectively react to the diverse range of behaviors recorded in the archeological findings. By combining excavation methods with ethnography, researchers may accurately recreate the organization and layout of the ethnographic evidence within the archaeological site. This promotes a more thorough comprehension of historical events.

Keywords: anthropological fieldwork, archeological findings, archaeology and ethnology of hunters and gatherers