Culture History

Time & Space questions

(Temporal/Spatial)

Basis for Processualism & Postprocessualism

What happened?  When & Where?

More descriptive than explanatory

Direct Historical Approach – cultural continuities in descendant groups through history (time)

Processualism

Cultural Ecology, Cultural materialism are major processual approaches

Adaptations to various environmental settings; processes of culture change; strong alignment with Scientific Approach; empiricism.  Techno-environmental materialism – direct material benefits (food, shelter, clothing, etc)

How was past human behavior structured?  Why do we see certain behavioral responses to changing environments?  Processes of change, more on group level

More explanatory than descriptive

Postprocessualism

Cognitive Archaeology, Gender (feminist perspectives) & Marxist approaches are part of postprocessualism

Focus is on ‘emic’ (insiders) perspectives.  Ideological & symbolic systems are seen as important.  NOT so much emphasis on technology & the environment or use of quantitative methods to explain culture

How do individuals contribute to culture change?  Why do we see certain human behavioral responses to changing perceptions of the universe?  Social relations?

More explanatory than descriptive