A Novel, Groundbreaking Approach to the History of Archaeology

Understanding the past of a scientific discipline is crucial to appreciating how discoveries have been made and research has evolved. Yet, there are countless ways to approach this task. When Oxford University Press commissioned me to edit a handbook on the history of archaeology, the goal was clear: to break new ground and advance the field in innovative ways.A handbook, requires more than a compilation of biographies or accounts of key discoveries. While valuable in specific contexts, such approaches fall short of capturing the complexity of archaeology’s global development. Instead, this volume was conceived to synthesize knowledge while fostering critical thinking, diversity, and transnational perspectives. The aim was to produce a resource that not only maps the disciplinary past but also reframes it through broad, interconnected themes.Achieving this vision was not without challenges. Few scholars possess the expertise to offer such wide-ranging insights, and securing their time and contributions was a considerable undertaking. Nevertheless, one of the volume's major accomplishments is its diverse lineup of contributors, carefully selected to represent a variety of genders, nationalities, and linguistic backgrounds.The result is an ambitious volume spanning nearly 1,000 pages, structured into 38 chapters divided across seven thematic sections: Methodology and Theory; The Practices of Archaeology; Objects, Networks, and Museums; Diverse Archaeologies; Institutions and Legislation; Ideologies and the Political Context of Archaeology; and Archaeology and Society. Together, these chapters provide a holistic view of the discipline at a global level, emphasizing not only its history but also the broader cultural, political, and social forces that have shaped it.Completing this project has been nothing short of monumental. By prioritizing inclusivity, global perspectives, and thematic innovation, this handbook redefines how we approach the history of archaeology. It not only advances our understanding of the field but also sets a new benchmark for future scholarship.