Speculative Annihilationism - The Intersection of Archaeology and Extinction

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Speculative Annihilationism is a new theoretical approach to archaeology that aims to "think thoughts extinction" and provide a new ontological ground for the field in the age of extinctions. It combines contemporary work in speculative philosophy, saprophytic dialectics, and Levinasian ethics to explore themes of the unthought and unthinkable, anonymity, otherness, and meaninglessness, and grant archaeology a new basis for inquiry.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2019
Publisher: John Hunt Publishing

If Levinas and Negarestani raised a child enchanted by the dark, then this is his debut.

In this book, Rosen argues that current archaeological theoretical approaches are not up to the task of adequately theorizing exhumation in our present age of extinctions. Speculative Annihilationism attempts to "think thoughts extinction," suggesting a new ontological ground for archaeology. Combining contemporary work in speculative philosophy, saprophytic dialectics, and Levinasian ethics, Rosen's "putrefied-thought" explores themes of the unthought and unthinkable, anonymity, otherness, and meaninglessness so that archaeology can be granted a new basis, a new avenue of inquiry at its intersection with extinction.

The book is divided into three parts, each exploring a different aspect of the relationship between archaeology and extinction.

Part One: "The Unthought" explores the ways in which archaeology is often perceived as a discipline that deals with the past, ignoring the present and the future. Rosen argues that this perception is flawed, as archaeology is not only concerned with the past, but also with the present and the future. He suggests that archaeology can be used to think about the effects of extinction on the present and the future, and to develop new ways of thinking about the relationship between humans and the environment.

Part Two: "The Unthinkable" explores the ways in which extinction is often thought of as a natural phenomenon, something that is beyond human control. Rosen argues that this perception is also flawed, as extinction is not only a natural phenomenon, but also a human-made phenomenon. He suggests that archaeology can be used to think about the ways in which humans have contributed to extinction, and to develop new ways of thinking about the relationship between humans and the environment.

Part Three: "The Putrefied-Thought" explores the ways in which archaeology can be used to think about the unthought and the unthinkable. Rosen argues that archaeology can be used to think about the ways in which the environment is changing, and the ways in which humans are changing in response to these changes. He suggests that archaeology can be used to develop new ways of thinking about the relationship between humans and the environment, and to develop new ways of thinking about the future.

In conclusion, Speculative Annihilationism is a thought-provoking book that offers a new ontological ground for archaeology. By exploring themes of the unthought and the unthinkable, anonymity, otherness, and meaninglessness, Rosen suggests that archaeology can be granted a new basis, a new avenue of inquiry at its intersection with extinction. The book is well-written and accessible, and will be of interest to anyone who is interested in the relationship between archaeology and extinction.

Weight: 148g
Dimension: 223 x 152 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789041477