ABSTRACT
The Routledge Handbook of Historical Archaeology presents a comprehensive treatment of the sub-discipline exploring key contemporary debates, and providing a series of specially commissioned geographical overviews. The book brings together 46 chapters by leading historical archaeologists and has been designed to offer a starting point for students who may wish to pursue particular topics in more depth, as well as for non-archaeologists who have an interest in how historical archaeology may help us to reflect upon the origins of the modern world. The editors recognize that because advances in historical archaeology and the wider discipline are coming at such a rapid pace this handbook merely offers a snapshot of current theory and practice, and it is difficult to anticipate where the sub-discipline will be in five years’ time. We nevertheless view the active and ever-changing character of historical archaeology as a positive sign that the sub-discipline is capable of constantly transforming itself to address new issues and audiences and that by drawing attention to and questioning inequality, structural violence, racism, and environmental destruction, historical archaeologists can make a powerful contribution to political debates in the contemporary world.
