Metaarchaeology

An idea of the philosophy of archaeology can best be gained by showing what it is, what the issues are, who is working in the field and how theyr proceed. In this introduction to the field several leading archaeologists show how accessible and interesting the current archaeological literature is, and currently active philosophers of archaeology reveal something of the current state of discussion on the subject. Bibliographies have also been developed of the philosophy of archaeology as well as of selected parts of the component that can be called metaarchaeology. Finally an historical introduction has been included to show the variety of metascientific as well as orientational standpoints to which philosophers of archaeology have had recourse for over two decades, followed by speculation about the future of the discipline within the philosophy of science.