Author
Bruce G. Trigger
Other affiliations: Yale University
Bio: Bruce G. Trigger is an academic researcher from McGill University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Prehistoric archaeology & Archaeological theory. The author has an hindex of 43, co-authored 169 publications receiving 9609 citations. Previous affiliations of Bruce G. Trigger include Yale University.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
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Book•
01 Jan 1989TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the history of archaeological thought from medieval times to the present in world-wide perspective, and found that subjective influences have been powerful, while the gradual accumulation of archaeological data has exercised a growing constraint on interpretation.
Abstract: In its original edition, Bruce Trigger's book was the first ever to examine the history of archaeological thought from medieval times to the present in world-wide perspective. Now, in this new edition, he both updates the original work and introduces new archaeological perspectives and concerns. At once stimulating and even-handed, it places the development of archaeological thought and theory throughout within a broad social and intellectual framework. The successive but interacting trends apparent in archaeological thought are defined and the author seeks to determine the extent to which these trends were a reflection of the personal and collective interests of archaeologists as these relate - in the West at least - to the fluctuating fortunes of the middle classes. While subjective influences have been powerful, Professor Trigger argues that the gradual accumulation of archaeological data has exercised a growing constraint on interpretation. In turn, this has increased the objectivity of archaeological research and enhanced its value for understanding the entire span of human history and the human condition in general.
1,346 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the relevance of archaeological history is discussed, including the origins of scientific archaeology, the imperial synthesis, and the development of modern archaeology in the 20th century.
Abstract: List of illustrations Preface 1. The relevance of archaeological history 2. Classical archaeology and antiquarianism 3. The beginnings of scientific archaeology 4. The imperial synthesis 5. Culture-historical archaeology 6. Soviet archaeology 7. Functionalism in Western archaeology 8. Neo-evolutionism and the New Archaeology 9. The explanation of diversity 10. Archaeology and its social context Bibliographical essay References Index.
956 citations
05 May 2003
TL;DR: A detailed comparative study of the seven best-documented early civilizations is presented in this paper, where equal attention is paid to similarities and differences in their sociopolitical organization, economic systems, religion, and culture.
Abstract: This book offers the first detailed comparative study of the seven best-documented early civilizations: ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, Shang China, the Aztecs and adjacent peoples in the Valley of Mexico, the Classic Maya, the Inka, and the Yoruba. Unlike previous studies, equal attention is paid to similarities and differences in their sociopolitical organization, economic systems, religion, and culture. Many of this study's findings are surprising and provocative. Agricultural systems, technologies, and economic behaviour turn out to have been far more diverse than was expected. These findings and many others challenge not only current understandings of early civilizations but also the theoretical foundations of modern archaeology and anthropology. The key to understanding early civilizations lies not in their historical connections but in what they can tell us about similarities and differences in human behaviour.
492 citations
01 Sep 1984
TL;DR: The authors examined similarities and differences in the questions that prehistoric archaeologists ask and the answers that they are predisposed to accept as reasonable in different parts of the world and under changing social conditions.
Abstract: This article examines similarities and differences in the questions that prehistoric archaeologists ask and the answers that they are predisposed to accept as reasonable in different parts of the world and under changing social conditions. Archaeology is strongly influenced by the position that the countries and regions in which it is practised occupy within the modern world-system. Three basic types of archaeology are defined and examined: Nationalist, Colonialist, and Imperialist. The significance of these types for problems of objectivity in archaeology is examined briefly.
452 citations
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TL;DR: The authors advocate an externalism about mind, but one that is in no way grounded in the debatable role of external reference in fixing the contents of our mental states, rather, they advocate an *active externalism*, based on the active role of the environment in driving cognitive processes.
Abstract: Where does the mind stop and the rest of the world begin? The question invites two standard replies. Some accept the intuitive demarcations of skin and skull, and say that what is outside the body is outside the mind. Others are impressed by arguments suggesting that the meaning of our words "just ain't in the head", and hold that this externalism about meaning carries over into an externalism about mind. We propose to pursue a third position. We will advocate an externalism about mind, but one that is in no way grounded in the debatable role of external reference in fixing the contents of our mental states. Rather, we advocate an *active externalism*, based on the active role of the environment in driving cognitive processes.
4,172 citations
2,927 citations
2,839 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the Durability of ethnic communities in pre-modern and modern history, including the formation of small nations, and their formation in the modern era.
Abstract: Preface. Note to Maps. Maps. Introduction. 1. Are Nations Modern?. a Modernistsa and a Primordialistsa . Ethnie, Myths and Symbols. The Durability of Ethnic Communities. Part I: Ethnic Communities in Pre--Modern Eras:. 2. Foundations of Ethnic Community. The Dimensions of Ethnie. Some Bases of Ethnic Formation. Structure and persistence of Ethnie. 3. Ethnie and Ethnicism in History. Uniqueness and Exclusion. Ethnic Resistance and Renewal. External Threat and Ethnic Response. Two Types of Ethnic Mythomoteur. 4. Class and Ethnie in Agrarian Societies. Military Mobilization and Ethnic Consciousness. Two Types of Ethnie. Ethnic Polities. 5. Ethnic Survival and Dissolution. Location and Sovereignty. Demographic and Cultural Continuity. Dissolution of Ethnie. Ethnic Survival. Ethnic Socialization and Religious Renewal. Part II: Ethnie and Nations in the Modern Era. 6. The Formation of Nations. Western Revolutions. Territorial and Ethnic Nations. Nation--Formation. The Ethnic Model. Ethnic Solidarity or Political Citizenship?. 7. From Ethnie to Nation. Politicization of Ethnie. The New Priesthood. Autarchy and Territorialization. Mobilization and Inclusion. The New Imagination. 8. Legends and Landscapes. Nostalgia and Posterity. The Sense of a The Pasta . Romantic Nationalism as an a Historical Dramaa . Poetic Spaces: The Uses of Landscape. Golden Ages: The Uses of History. Myths and Nation--Building. 9. The Genealogy of Nations. Parmenideans and Heraclitans. The a Antiquitya of Nations. Transcending Ethnicity?. A World of Small Nations. Ethnic Mobilization and Global Security. Notes. Bibliography. Index.
2,576 citations
Book•
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TL;DR: The Uses of Heritage as mentioned in this paper explores the use of heritage throughout the world and argues that heritage value is not inherent in physical objects or places, but rather that these objects and places are used to give tangibility to the values that underpin different communities and to assert and affirm these values.
Abstract: Examining international case studies including USA, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Laurajane Smith identifies and explores the use of heritage throughout the world.
Challenging the idea that heritage value is self-evident, and that things must be preserved because they have an inherent importance, Smith forcefully demonstrates that heritage value is not inherent in physical objects or places, but rather that these objects and places are used to give tangibility to the values that underpin different communities and to assert and affirm these values.
A practically grounded accessible examination of heritage as a cultural practice, The Uses of Heritage is global in its benefit to students and field professionals alike.
2,516 citations