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Middle-range theory has been applied in the archaeology of nomadic peoples, amongst others [1] In archaeology, middle-range theory refers to theories linking human behaviour and natural processes to physical remains in the archaeological record. It allows archaeologists to make inferences in the other direction: from archaeological finds in the ...
Middle-range theory can refer to theories in: Middle-range theory (archaeology) , describes how people use objects and structures, and the human behaviors associated with this use Middle-range theory (sociology) , a theory with limited scope, that explains a specific set of phenomena
A middle range theory could describe any cultural system outside of its specific cultural context, for example, the archaeology of agriculture. An upper range theory can explain any cultural system, independent of any specifics and regardless of the nature of the variables [clarification needed]. At the time Binford thought the middle range ...
Archaeological theory functions as the application of philosophy of science to archaeology, and is occasionally referred to as philosophy of archaeology. There is no one singular theory of archaeology, but many, with different archaeologists believing that information should be interpreted in different ways.
Until the mid-20th century and the introduction of technology, there was a general consensus that archaeology was closely related to both history and anthropology. Since then, elements of other disciplines such as physics , chemistry , biology , metallurgy , engineering , medicine , etc., have found an overlap, resulting in a need to revisit ...
Binford's work can largely be seen as a reaction to the earlier culture history approach to archaeology. New Archaeology was considered a revolution in archaeological theory. Binford was involved in several high-profile debates including arguments with James Sackett on the nature and function of style and on symbolism and methodology with Ian ...
Other threats to the archaeological record include natural phenomena and scavenging. Archaeology can be a destructive science for the finite resources of the archaeological record are lost to excavation. Therefore, archaeologists limit the amount of excavation that they do at each site and keep meticulous records of what is found.
Medieval archaeology is the study of post-Roman European archaeology until the sixteenth century. Post-medieval archaeology is the study of material culture in Europe from the 16th century onwards. Historical archaeology is the study of the past using both material evidence (i.e. artifacts and their contexts) and documentary evidence (including ...