Welcome to the world of archaeology.

Introducing Archaeology continues to be a lively and approachable textbook for introductory-level students. Covering traditional elements of archaeology, including methods and prehistory, the new edition also opens up greater conversations about the current state of archaeology, discussing issues of representation, inclusion, and diversity in the field. The authors highlight recent developments in digital and public archaeology, as well as the social and political contexts of doing archaeological fieldwork. A new prologue challenges common misconceptions about archaeology portrayed by mainstream media. The result is a book that encourages students to critically examine the present by investigating the archaeological past.

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Robert J. Muckle is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Capilano University in Vancouver, Canada. He has been practicing, writing about, and teaching archaeology for more than 20 years. He has extensive experience directing projects within the realms of commercial archaeology, Indigenous archaeology, prehistoric, and historic archaeology. He is the author of Indigenous Peoples of North America and editor of Reading Archaeology: An Introduction, both published by University of Toronto Press.

Stacey L. Camp is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology and the Director of the Campus Archaeology Program at Michigan State University. She is an historical archaeologist who examines the materiality of immigrants living in the late 19th and early 20th century Western United States. Her publications explore how different facets of migrants’ identities – race, class, gender, and citizenship standing – shape their perceptions of consumerism and material culture.

Short excerpts from Introducing Archaeology can be found on Twitter @Archaeologytext.

What People are Saying

  • Introducing Archaeology offers the reader an engaging and well-written introduction to historical and contemporary trends within archaeology. From discussions of methodology, to insights on theory, to coverage of the modern uses of archaeology as a means of activism, Muckle and Camp provide an invaluable resource for the undergraduate student, interested reader, or professional archaeologist.” Christopher P. Barton, Francis Marion University
  • “This book is a real-world guide, field overview, and primer on archaeological practice as it is conducted in the world today. Examples drawn from politics, popular culture, and cultural heritage management are threaded throughout the volume, making the book useful for students interested in a career in archaeology and those simply wanting to learn more about the field. Introducing Archaeology is unique in its approach to contemporary issues, while remaining an excellent overview of the discipline and the ways that archaeology is used to understand the past.” Carolyn L. White, University of Nevada, Reno