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Lewis Binford




Binford's contribution to Archaeology was more theoretical than practical. He advocated a number of ideas that matured into processualism. He and others argued that there should be emphasis on the application of scientific methodologies as well as the hypthetico-deductive method to archaeology. He placed a strong emphasis on generalities and the way in which human beings interacted with their ecological niche. Binford's work can largely be seen as a reaction to the Culture History approach that preceded the new/processual archaeology.

Binford is known for his dogmatism and refusal to accept criticism. He has spoken out and reacted to a number of schools of thought, particularly the post-processual school, the behavioural school, and the symbolic and postmodern anthropologies. Binford is also known for his rivalry with French archaeologist François Bordes , with whom he argued over the interpretation of Mousterian sites.

Some of Binford's early work was prepared in collaboration with then-wife Sally Binford . Their best-known collaboration is the influential anthology ''New Perspectives In Archaeology''.

In 2000 he received an honorary doctorate at Leiden University for his role in the development of a more scientific archaeology.

Binford now teaches at Truman State University , in Kirksville, Missouri .


WORKS

  • ''New Perspectives in Archaeology'' (1968) ISBN 0202330222

  • ''Nunamiut Ethnoarchaeology'' (1978) ISBN 0121000400

  • ''Bones, Ancient Men and Modern Myths'' (1981) ISBN 0121000354

  • ''In Pursuit of the Past: Decoding the Archaeological Record'' (1983) ISBN 0520233395

  • ''Faunal Remains from Klasies River Mouth'' (1984) ISBN 0121000702