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Bjørnar Olsen
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In Defense of Things: Archaeology and the Ontology of Objects Paperback – 21 March 2013

by Bjornar Olsen (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
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This important work of archaeological theory challenges us to reconsider our ideas about the nature of things, past and present, arguing that objects themselves possess a dynamic presence that we must take into account if we are to understand the world we and they inhabit.
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  1. Print length
    214 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    AltaMira Press
  4. Publication date
    21 March 2013
  5. Reading age
    18 years and up
  6. Dimensions
    15.14 x 1.6 x 22.81 cm
  7. ISBN-10
    0759119317
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0759119314
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Product description

Review

In Defense of Things is both an unequivocal sign of paradigm change and of the maturity achieved by archaeological thinking. As one of the three most important books in archaeology over the last decade, it deserves to become the reference book of archaeological theory for the next two, at least. Moreover, it places archaeology on an equal footing with other social sciences: this, in itself, is a profound contribution.

Much recent theoretical discourse in archaeology is focused on active, relational objects conceived as entanglements, assemblages, and bundles of things. In Defense of Things is a timely, highly readable explication of the ideas and philosophy behind this turn towards object ontologies. Social scientists and particularly archaeologists interested in materiality studies could not ask for a more lucid introduction to the issues in play. Olsen's central thesis is echoed in recent works by Nicole Boivin, Ian Hodder, Chris Webmoor and Tim Witmore, and Carl Knappett and Lambros Malafouris, among others. Inspired by Merleau-Ponty as well as by Latour, Olsen argues that it is time for social scientists to transcend the material/ideal split that is the heritage of Cartesian philosophy, and to give things their proper due as central to human existence. His self-avowed 'bricolage' approach to the topic contains very clear, concise discussions of key literature and ideas, thankfully without the hubristic language that distracts from the writings of some of his colleagues. . . I highly recommend this book as an elegant, well-written, well-reasoned introduction to the recent turn toward object ontologies in archaeology.

Since the emergence of 'material culture studies' in the 1980s, there has been a growing need for a more fundamental rethinking of the nature of material things. This excellent book is one of the most sustained and sophisticated attempts that has been made to grapple with the problems of the tangible world, and it is to be unreservedly recommended.

This excellent book by Bjornar Olsen provides us with the best critical survey of material culture studies currently available. He also shows how writing about 'things' from an archaeological perspective makes new theoretical contributions.

About the Author

DOB: 2/1/1958 Citizenship: Norway

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ AltaMira Press (21 March 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 214 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0759119317
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0759119314
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.14 x 1.6 x 22.81 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 out of 5 stars 5 ratings

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Bjørnar Olsen

Bjørnar Olsen

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  • Ross Sackett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Summary: As students of culture, as we twaddle ...
    Reviewed in the United States on 5 August 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Summary: As students of culture, as we twaddle on about the social life of material things and the symbolic life of material things, we shouldn't lose sight of the material life of material things.
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  • john walthall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on 27 September 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Nice copy, fast shipping, well pleased
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