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The Direct Historical Approach to Archaeology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2017

Julian H. Steward*
Affiliation:
Bureau of American Ethnology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.

Extract

In recent years considerable attention has been given to theoretical statements and to concrete applications of what is called the “taxonomic method“ in archaeology. Although this method is not necessarily in conflict with the direct historical approach to archaeology, a growing preoccupation with the former has definitely been at the expense of the latter. The direct historical approach, although employed more or less for many years, has not received formulation comparable to that of the taxonomic method, nor have its potentialities for planned research programs and its possible integration with recent types of historical ethnographic research received full recognition. Even, therefore, if it is unnecessary to argue its value, it seems timely to attempt a statement that may help clarify its procedures and research possibilities.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1942

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