ABSTRACT
The final chapter re-focuses on the theory and practice of Statement Archaeology, acting as a bookend to mirror Chapter 1. It provides further theoretical underpinning for, and discussion of, the method, including an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the approach. This includes a brief analysis of how Foucault’s methodological principles have been operationalized by other scholars, considering the development of Critical Discourse Analysis, associated particularly with Norman Fairclough and Ruth Wodak. It then sets out in detail how Statement Archaeology differs from these approaches in the way it seeks to adhere closely to Foucaultian principles. As well as pre-empting some questions that might occur to the reader as they have progressed through the worked examples of Chapters 2–5, the chapter offers some reflections on the use of Statement Archaeology, including avenues for further development, and some potential affordances of digital technologies. Finally, the chapter guides the reader through a series of prompts to help them reflect on the method, guiding them towards the ways in which they can apply Statement Archaeology to their own research area.
