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Dictionnaire méthodique de l'architecture grecque et romaine 3: Espaces architecturaux,bâtiments et ensembles by René GinouvèsReview by: William R. BiersAmerican Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 104, No. 2 (Apr., 2000), pp. 374-375Published by: Archaeological Institute of AmericaStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/507456 .
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BOOK REVIEWS BOOK REVIEWS
In turning his theoretical gaze to the world of excava-
tion, Hodder's latest book addresses the question raised by skeptics over the past 17 years: What form would a post- processual field archaeology take and how would it be dif- ferent from past approaches? This sometimes delightful, sometimes pretentious book provides thought-provoking reading for field archaeologists and interested students at all levels. Furthermore, some will be pleased to read Hod- der's acknowledgment that the full-time specialization in
theory among some has created a discourse of exclusion. He echoes Tilley's earlier call (Reading Material Culture, Ox- ford 1990) for an end to the dichotomy between theory and data, noting that interpretation takes place "at the trowel's edge" (83).
In a continuous series of examples, Hodder demon- strates how the variables attendant in fieldwork serve as a
metaphor for the multivalent readings advocated by post- processual archaeologists. When microliths are re-contex- tualized into the fabric of pottery, they become temper (16). The understanding of the relationships between pits, ditches, and houses that comes through experience is al-
ready hermeneutic (33) whether acknowledged or not. Material culture forms a data set that is independent of
language or written text. For this reason, we can interpret the relationships among things to try to determine if what
people did correlates to or contradicts what they said. The
process through which these relationships came about was
peopled in real time, and it is the understanding of these that lies at the heart of a post-processual field archaeology. Thus, the complexity of archaeology begins in the field, and theory is simply an extension of that complexity.
Those of us with experience in the field will find noth-
ing remarkable in many of Hodder's observations about the
interpretive choices made in our excavation procedures. In fact, many readers may find statements such as "methods used by archaeologists vary from site to site and from prob- lem to problem" (52) a little naive. Yet, as Hodder later ob- serves, "when statements are obvious we deny that inter-
pretation is involved" (67). It is this making explicit the
implicit that distinguished processual archaeology from cultural history, and that provides continuity with post- processualism. In fact, it is the absence of the individual in the generalized and impersonal site report that may dis-
guise the unstated biases behind the "objective" account. Observations such as the decision to sift a deposit rely on
interpreting its significance (81). In reminding us to re- flect upon mental processes lying behind our routine
procedures, Hodder attempts to break down such false dichotomies as conceptualization/practice, mind/body, and theory/data.
Hodder is at his best when he calls for a creative use of one's self-conscious reasoning and a plurality of authorial voices. Information technology enables contextual read-
ings through the use of databases that relate artifact cate-
gories and context. The use of a network to which all mem- bers of the team have access enables excavators and
specialists to be constantly aware of how the investigation is
progressing. Placing the data from the excavation on the World Wide
Web encourages public interpretation, so that the excava- tors' interpretations are "one node in a wider debate" (127). Refreshingly, the goal is to privilege knowledge over status and authority. Hence, readers can "produce" their
In turning his theoretical gaze to the world of excava-
tion, Hodder's latest book addresses the question raised by skeptics over the past 17 years: What form would a post- processual field archaeology take and how would it be dif- ferent from past approaches? This sometimes delightful, sometimes pretentious book provides thought-provoking reading for field archaeologists and interested students at all levels. Furthermore, some will be pleased to read Hod- der's acknowledgment that the full-time specialization in
theory among some has created a discourse of exclusion. He echoes Tilley's earlier call (Reading Material Culture, Ox- ford 1990) for an end to the dichotomy between theory and data, noting that interpretation takes place "at the trowel's edge" (83).
In a continuous series of examples, Hodder demon- strates how the variables attendant in fieldwork serve as a
metaphor for the multivalent readings advocated by post- processual archaeologists. When microliths are re-contex- tualized into the fabric of pottery, they become temper (16). The understanding of the relationships between pits, ditches, and houses that comes through experience is al-
ready hermeneutic (33) whether acknowledged or not. Material culture forms a data set that is independent of
language or written text. For this reason, we can interpret the relationships among things to try to determine if what
people did correlates to or contradicts what they said. The
process through which these relationships came about was
peopled in real time, and it is the understanding of these that lies at the heart of a post-processual field archaeology. Thus, the complexity of archaeology begins in the field, and theory is simply an extension of that complexity.
Those of us with experience in the field will find noth-
ing remarkable in many of Hodder's observations about the
interpretive choices made in our excavation procedures. In fact, many readers may find statements such as "methods used by archaeologists vary from site to site and from prob- lem to problem" (52) a little naive. Yet, as Hodder later ob- serves, "when statements are obvious we deny that inter-
pretation is involved" (67). It is this making explicit the
implicit that distinguished processual archaeology from cultural history, and that provides continuity with post- processualism. In fact, it is the absence of the individual in the generalized and impersonal site report that may dis-
guise the unstated biases behind the "objective" account. Observations such as the decision to sift a deposit rely on
interpreting its significance (81). In reminding us to re- flect upon mental processes lying behind our routine
procedures, Hodder attempts to break down such false dichotomies as conceptualization/practice, mind/body, and theory/data.
Hodder is at his best when he calls for a creative use of one's self-conscious reasoning and a plurality of authorial voices. Information technology enables contextual read-
ings through the use of databases that relate artifact cate-
gories and context. The use of a network to which all mem- bers of the team have access enables excavators and
specialists to be constantly aware of how the investigation is
progressing. Placing the data from the excavation on the World Wide
Web encourages public interpretation, so that the excava- tors' interpretations are "one node in a wider debate" (127). Refreshingly, the goal is to privilege knowledge over status and authority. Hence, readers can "produce" their
own conclusion concerning the function of excavated structures. Doing so empowers them to write their own ver- sion of the past, thus adding to the celebration of multivo-
cality. Hodder's own online diary of his excavations at Catal H6yuk (http://catal.arch.cam.ac.uk/catal/catal.html) is as-
tonishing for its unabashed candidness and self-reflection.
Bringing teams of different nationalities to excavate at
Catal Hyuik and employing cultural anthropologists to
study the different groups involved with the site (excava- tion teams, "Goddess" tours, villagers, local and national
politicians) infuses the project with a global perspective. On the other hand, Hodder's rationalization for accepting sponsorship of a credit card company by comparing it to the Neolithic use of obsidian as a medium of exchange that involved relations of credit and debt between giver and receiver (165-6) comes across as disingenuous in an otherwise stimulating and provocative book.
Both Whitley and Hodder address critical issues, yet each is underdeveloped in its own way. This is more of a
shortcoming for the Whitley reader, which has a restricted
appeal because of its narrow and exclusive focus. In con- trast, Ian Hodder creatively lays down the challenge for fu- ture field archaeologists engaged in the use of theory to
expand upon.
LOUISE A. HITCHCOCK
COTSEN INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
A2 10 FOWLER MUSEUM
BOX 951510 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90095-1510 [email protected]
CYPRUS-AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
INSTITUTE
11 ANDREAS DEMITRIOU ST
NICOSIA 136
CYPRUS
DICTIONNAIRE METHODIQUE DE L'ARCHITECTURE
GRECQUE ET ROMAINE 3: ESPACES ARCHITEC-
TURAUX, BATIMENTS ET ENSEMBLES, by Rene Gi-
nouves. (CEFR 84.) Pp. ix + 352, pls. 115. De
Boccard, Paris 1998. FF 430. ISSN 0223-5099; ISBN 2-7283-0529-3 (cloth).
This is the final volume of a series begun in 1985 by Gi- nouves and Roland Martin that dealt with materials, con- struction techniques, and decor in both Greek and Roman architecture. The second volume by Ginouves alone ap- peared in 1992 and concerned elements of construction such as supports, roofs, and interior arrangements. This third volume, again by Ginouves (who died in 1994 after
having essentially completed the work), puts it all together, so to speak.
Classical archaeology in general has remained conserva- tive, some might say old-fashioned, in still requiring at least a reading knowledge of languages other than English- much to the chagrin of most students. Terminology is a
special problem in the study of architecture, where techni- cal terms must be understood, and it is in this respect that the volumes of the Dictionnaire will be particularly useful. The contents of all three volumes of the Dictionnaire are
own conclusion concerning the function of excavated structures. Doing so empowers them to write their own ver- sion of the past, thus adding to the celebration of multivo-
cality. Hodder's own online diary of his excavations at Catal H6yuk (http://catal.arch.cam.ac.uk/catal/catal.html) is as-
tonishing for its unabashed candidness and self-reflection.
Bringing teams of different nationalities to excavate at
Catal Hyuik and employing cultural anthropologists to
study the different groups involved with the site (excava- tion teams, "Goddess" tours, villagers, local and national
politicians) infuses the project with a global perspective. On the other hand, Hodder's rationalization for accepting sponsorship of a credit card company by comparing it to the Neolithic use of obsidian as a medium of exchange that involved relations of credit and debt between giver and receiver (165-6) comes across as disingenuous in an otherwise stimulating and provocative book.
Both Whitley and Hodder address critical issues, yet each is underdeveloped in its own way. This is more of a
shortcoming for the Whitley reader, which has a restricted
appeal because of its narrow and exclusive focus. In con- trast, Ian Hodder creatively lays down the challenge for fu- ture field archaeologists engaged in the use of theory to
expand upon.
LOUISE A. HITCHCOCK
COTSEN INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
A2 10 FOWLER MUSEUM
BOX 951510 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90095-1510 [email protected]
CYPRUS-AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
INSTITUTE
11 ANDREAS DEMITRIOU ST
NICOSIA 136
CYPRUS
DICTIONNAIRE METHODIQUE DE L'ARCHITECTURE
GRECQUE ET ROMAINE 3: ESPACES ARCHITEC-
TURAUX, BATIMENTS ET ENSEMBLES, by Rene Gi-
nouves. (CEFR 84.) Pp. ix + 352, pls. 115. De
Boccard, Paris 1998. FF 430. ISSN 0223-5099; ISBN 2-7283-0529-3 (cloth).
This is the final volume of a series begun in 1985 by Gi- nouves and Roland Martin that dealt with materials, con- struction techniques, and decor in both Greek and Roman architecture. The second volume by Ginouves alone ap- peared in 1992 and concerned elements of construction such as supports, roofs, and interior arrangements. This third volume, again by Ginouves (who died in 1994 after
having essentially completed the work), puts it all together, so to speak.
Classical archaeology in general has remained conserva- tive, some might say old-fashioned, in still requiring at least a reading knowledge of languages other than English- much to the chagrin of most students. Terminology is a
special problem in the study of architecture, where techni- cal terms must be understood, and it is in this respect that the volumes of the Dictionnaire will be particularly useful. The contents of all three volumes of the Dictionnaire are
374 374 [AJA 104 [AJA 104
This content downloaded from 128.235.251.160 on Thu, 18 Dec 2014 13:59:59 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
BOOK REVIEWS BOOK REVIEWS
identically arranged. The text of volume 3 is divided into overall categories (such as "Architecture de l'eau," section 2.5) and further subdivided into paragraphs concerned with specific building types or features that belong to the
specific category (such as "Nymphees," subsection 2.52). Each paragraph provides a short description of a feature or building and presents its technical terms and names in each of the languages most commonly used in research in classical archaeology: French, German, English, Italian, and modern Greek, as well as ancient Greek and Latin.
Spanish is conspicuous by its absence and Portuguese would also have been a welcome addition. The short para- graphs are supported by detailed footnotes (requiring 27
pages of abbreviations) and numerous plates of excellent
photos, drawings, and plans. More than a third of the body of the work is devoted to
indices of architectural terminology. There is a separate in- dex for each language, with references to each word's ap- pearance in the text. The volume is completed by a geo- graphical index and a table of plates. The Dictionnaire thus is useful in two different ways. Students can go directly to a
particular subject and discover what terms are applicable in the various languages, or they can use the language indi- ces to discover the meaning of a foreign word in the sub-
ject paragraphs to which they are referred. Although at first the three volumes seem complicated to use, persever- ance shows how useful a tool they can be and how impor- tant and useful is the information they present, particu- larly in the full footnotes. These volumes should find a place in the reference section of all university libraries.
WILLIAM R. BIERS
DEPARTMENT OF ART HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY
109 PICKARD HALL
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI 65211
LITHICS: MACROSCOPIC APPROACHES TO ANALY-
SIS, by William Andrefsky, Jr. (Cambridge Manu- als in Archaeology). Pp. xxvii + 258, figs. 100, tables 36. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1998. $69.95 (cloth); $27.95 (paper). ISBN 0- 5215-7084-0 (cloth); 0-5215-7815-9 (paper).
Andrefsky has provided a vital service through the prep- aration of a book that functions as both an instructional manual for those learning how to study flaked stone tools and a good overview of methodological and theoretical is- sues in lithic studies for professionals. Given the impor- tance of lithics in world prehistory, it is surprising that there has been a dearth of such detailed studies. While books by Bordes, Crabtree, Tixier, Whittaker, and others provided the outline for such analysis, and articles by a host of specialists presented important methodological and theoretical advances, the book under review here is one of the few comprehensive studies. This situation is somewhat
surprising given the considerable attention archaeologists pay to lithics in their descriptions and reconstructions of many past cultures, and Andrefsky's treatment should meet the need for a general text on stone tools for some
identically arranged. The text of volume 3 is divided into overall categories (such as "Architecture de l'eau," section 2.5) and further subdivided into paragraphs concerned with specific building types or features that belong to the
specific category (such as "Nymphees," subsection 2.52). Each paragraph provides a short description of a feature or building and presents its technical terms and names in each of the languages most commonly used in research in classical archaeology: French, German, English, Italian, and modern Greek, as well as ancient Greek and Latin.
Spanish is conspicuous by its absence and Portuguese would also have been a welcome addition. The short para- graphs are supported by detailed footnotes (requiring 27
pages of abbreviations) and numerous plates of excellent
photos, drawings, and plans. More than a third of the body of the work is devoted to
indices of architectural terminology. There is a separate in- dex for each language, with references to each word's ap- pearance in the text. The volume is completed by a geo- graphical index and a table of plates. The Dictionnaire thus is useful in two different ways. Students can go directly to a
particular subject and discover what terms are applicable in the various languages, or they can use the language indi- ces to discover the meaning of a foreign word in the sub-
ject paragraphs to which they are referred. Although at first the three volumes seem complicated to use, persever- ance shows how useful a tool they can be and how impor- tant and useful is the information they present, particu- larly in the full footnotes. These volumes should find a place in the reference section of all university libraries.
WILLIAM R. BIERS
DEPARTMENT OF ART HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY
109 PICKARD HALL
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI 65211
LITHICS: MACROSCOPIC APPROACHES TO ANALY-
SIS, by William Andrefsky, Jr. (Cambridge Manu- als in Archaeology). Pp. xxvii + 258, figs. 100, tables 36. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1998. $69.95 (cloth); $27.95 (paper). ISBN 0- 5215-7084-0 (cloth); 0-5215-7815-9 (paper).
Andrefsky has provided a vital service through the prep- aration of a book that functions as both an instructional manual for those learning how to study flaked stone tools and a good overview of methodological and theoretical is- sues in lithic studies for professionals. Given the impor- tance of lithics in world prehistory, it is surprising that there has been a dearth of such detailed studies. While books by Bordes, Crabtree, Tixier, Whittaker, and others provided the outline for such analysis, and articles by a host of specialists presented important methodological and theoretical advances, the book under review here is one of the few comprehensive studies. This situation is somewhat
surprising given the considerable attention archaeologists pay to lithics in their descriptions and reconstructions of many past cultures, and Andrefsky's treatment should meet the need for a general text on stone tools for some
time to come. He capably manages the difficult task of giv- ing students a solid grounding in basic methods of analysis while at the same time offering seasoned analysts a valu- able reference source and review of some important de- bates. The discussion of the relationship between material culture and settlement systems makes the book more than a simple "how to" manual; Andrefsky engages questions of
general archaeological and anthropological interest.
Andrefsky devotes the first three chapters to introduc- tory issues, the next four to the particulars of lithic analy- sis, followed by two that relate lithics to larger questions of cultural context, and a short concluding chapter. There is an orderly sequence to this layout, taking the reader
through the whole process of lithic analysis in a compre- hensive fashion. Preceding the chapters is a useful glossary of terms used in the text.
The brief initial chapter offers useful historical summa- ries of lithic studies, the role of microwear analysis, and the
utility of replication studies. The author makes clear the two-fold purpose of the book: to present ways to undertake a macroscopic study of flaked stone, and to reconstruct an- cient human behavior from such research. He also answers the critics of replication studies and states that in conjunc- tion with refitting, it offers a good vehicle for understand-
ing the mechanics of lithic production. In chapter 2, Andref-
sky first defines a number of terms clearly, then discusses the nature of fracture mechanics and how lithics arrive at final
shapes. Perhaps the major point is the dynamic morphol- ogy of lithics as the result of production, use, and reuse over time. This simple but important observation alerts ar-
chaeologists to the evolving nature of an assemblage over its lifespan and emphasizes that we must consider this fac- tor in our interpretations of tool function based on static
typologies. An excellent summary of rock geochemistry and genesis constitutes chapter 3. Andrefsky clearly de- scribes how rock composition, texture, and structure influ- enced human use of raw materials. In chapter 4, the au- thor discusses basic concepts that underlie lithic analysis. He deals effectively with the issues of attributes and at- tribute scales (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio), and distin-
guishes a number of approaches to typology (monothetic versus polythetic, association and disassociation). The cen- tral theme is that "all classification schemes must be rep- licable." He then presents his own typology, which is well-illustrated by a flow chart reflecting a decision-making process by the ancient flintknapper.
The next three chapters deal with the specifics of doing lithic analysis. Chapter 5 presents the variation in basic
debitage attributes, including kind of termination, striking platform, size, cortex, and curvature. Chapter 6 builds on the preceding one and presents several approaches to deb-
itage (nontool) analysis, including technological and ag- gregate methods. The former places items into categories on the basis of technological factors, such as amount of cortex on the dorsal surface or production method (bipo- lar technique, bifacial thinning flake). Aggregate analysis separates an assemblage on the basis of uniform criteria
(e.g., length, weight). Chapter 7 deals with the analysis of tools, including cores, flake implements, and bifaces. An- drefsky offers practical advice on how to measure tool di- mensions, describe edges, and identify hafting. He also deals with behavioral issues; for example, he states that quality and quantity of raw material determine what type of core arti-
time to come. He capably manages the difficult task of giv- ing students a solid grounding in basic methods of analysis while at the same time offering seasoned analysts a valu- able reference source and review of some important de- bates. The discussion of the relationship between material culture and settlement systems makes the book more than a simple "how to" manual; Andrefsky engages questions of
general archaeological and anthropological interest.
Andrefsky devotes the first three chapters to introduc- tory issues, the next four to the particulars of lithic analy- sis, followed by two that relate lithics to larger questions of cultural context, and a short concluding chapter. There is an orderly sequence to this layout, taking the reader
through the whole process of lithic analysis in a compre- hensive fashion. Preceding the chapters is a useful glossary of terms used in the text.
The brief initial chapter offers useful historical summa- ries of lithic studies, the role of microwear analysis, and the
utility of replication studies. The author makes clear the two-fold purpose of the book: to present ways to undertake a macroscopic study of flaked stone, and to reconstruct an- cient human behavior from such research. He also answers the critics of replication studies and states that in conjunc- tion with refitting, it offers a good vehicle for understand-
ing the mechanics of lithic production. In chapter 2, Andref-
sky first defines a number of terms clearly, then discusses the nature of fracture mechanics and how lithics arrive at final
shapes. Perhaps the major point is the dynamic morphol- ogy of lithics as the result of production, use, and reuse over time. This simple but important observation alerts ar-
chaeologists to the evolving nature of an assemblage over its lifespan and emphasizes that we must consider this fac- tor in our interpretations of tool function based on static
typologies. An excellent summary of rock geochemistry and genesis constitutes chapter 3. Andrefsky clearly de- scribes how rock composition, texture, and structure influ- enced human use of raw materials. In chapter 4, the au- thor discusses basic concepts that underlie lithic analysis. He deals effectively with the issues of attributes and at- tribute scales (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio), and distin-
guishes a number of approaches to typology (monothetic versus polythetic, association and disassociation). The cen- tral theme is that "all classification schemes must be rep- licable." He then presents his own typology, which is well-illustrated by a flow chart reflecting a decision-making process by the ancient flintknapper.
The next three chapters deal with the specifics of doing lithic analysis. Chapter 5 presents the variation in basic
debitage attributes, including kind of termination, striking platform, size, cortex, and curvature. Chapter 6 builds on the preceding one and presents several approaches to deb-
itage (nontool) analysis, including technological and ag- gregate methods. The former places items into categories on the basis of technological factors, such as amount of cortex on the dorsal surface or production method (bipo- lar technique, bifacial thinning flake). Aggregate analysis separates an assemblage on the basis of uniform criteria
(e.g., length, weight). Chapter 7 deals with the analysis of tools, including cores, flake implements, and bifaces. An- drefsky offers practical advice on how to measure tool di- mensions, describe edges, and identify hafting. He also deals with behavioral issues; for example, he states that quality and quantity of raw material determine what type of core arti-
2000] 2000] 375 375
This content downloaded from 128.235.251.160 on Thu, 18 Dec 2014 13:59:59 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions