The Ancient Mind: Elements of Cognitive Archaeology (New Directions in Archaeology) - Softcover

Renfrew, Colin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521456207 ISBN 13: 9780521456203

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Synopsis

One of the most troubling problems in archaeology is to determine the manner and content of prehistoric thought. A fundamental challenge is to develop the theory, methodology and tools to understand human cognition. Cognitive archaeology as a subject is still in its infancy, and archaeologists are adopting a variety of approaches. One direction has been to develop an 'interpretationist', anti-scientific, literary approach. Another has been to use a linguistic framework and develop a hermeneutic, semiotic approach. A third approach develops a new direction in prehistoric cognitive research which is rooted in the scientific tradition and in an empirical methodology. It draws upon the cognitive, the mathematical and the computer sciences in an attempt to understand what techniques can be used appropriately on archaeological data, and how to implement them efficiently. This is the approach adopted by the contributors to The Ancient Mind. Together, they begin to develop a science of cognitive archaeology.

About this title

Review:

"...an important reference work for any library that attempts to stay abreast of current developments in archaeology." Dennis E. Smith, Religious Studies Review

Book Description:

One of the most troubling problems in archaeology is to determine the manner and content of prehistoric thought. A fundamental challenge is to develop the theory, methodology and tools to understand human cognition. The contributors to The Ancient Mind develop a new direction in prehistoric cognitive research which is rooted in the scientific tradition and in an empirical methodology.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0521456207
• ISBN 13: 9780521456203
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 212