ABSTRACT
This chapter synthesizes and introduces propositions for and ways of doing historical anthropology through a selection of authors that we consider as ‘masters of anthropological thought’ because of the intriguing and pioneering nature of their studies. They are not just notable for the construction of theoretical models or categories, but for identifying new problems and the possibility of seeing old problems in new ways. The first, Julio Caro Baroja, despite breaking real ground in the field, is often undervalued by the anthropological profession and unknown outside the Spanish-speaking world. The second is Marshall Sahlins, included because of his interesting ruminations on how to create a dynamic theory of change and reproduction. Next is Eric Wolf, for having succeeded in presenting a diachronic view of power. Jean and John L. Comaroff, in turn, proposed a model based on doing historical anthropology more than trying to define it in any uniform way. William Christian Jr. is included because of the evocative power of his modus operandi in his research into religious anthropology, both yesterday and today. The central idea shared by these authors is that the insertion of history is an unavoidable part of the study and of all worthwhile social theory.
