The Writing of Archaeological Theory

Abstract

Throughout the years there have been complaints that theory is written in a very complicated manner, relying on obscure terms and metaphors, leading the more practical archaeologists to the perception that theorists are privileged and pretentious. There is some truth to these complaints – archaeological theory could indeed be considerably simpler and more accessible. The aim of this paper is to explain what factors have influenced theorists to write in a complicated and impenetrable manner, pointing out how the social, economic, and cultural context of the twentieth century have influenced theory and its production.