Archaeology and Intentionality: Understanding Ethics and Freedom in Past and Present Societies

This book reframes our understanding of intentionality in archaeology by considering past actors as not unconditional free agents or absolute prisoners of their circumstances,but as ethical agents who should act in certain ways. It highlights how archaeology is the perfect discipline to understand the origins of intentions and their ethical responsibilities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book offers a fresh perspective on the concept of intentionality, reshaping our understanding of what it means to act intentionally and how archaeologists provide explanations for past (and present) societies. In general, this book provides a robust framework for archaeological research that aligns with current practices and research worldwide. This framework recognizes that past actors were not unconditional free agents, nor were they absolute prisoners of the economic, biological, and environmental circumstances in which they lived. From the perspective of intentionality, it becomes evident that human agency is not about what you can or cannot do but about what you should do, that is, actions are above all ethical.

In a world characterized by widespread wealth inequality, where human actions have caused significant damage to the environment, and where technological advancements occur at an alarming rate, it is crucial that we acknowledge our intentions and the ethical responsibility that accompanies them. The book highlights how archaeology is the ideal discipline to explore how and from where these intentions originate.

Addressing various issues in archaeological theory and bridging archaeology, philosophy, and social theory, this book is of interest to students and researchers engaged in archaeological theory and its practical applications. By examining the historical trajectory of the notion of intentionality, this book offers a profound reinterpretation of our understanding of human behavior and the complexities of past (and present) societies. It provides a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of the role of intentionality in archaeological research and its implications for our understanding of human history and society.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367726300