Archaeology: The Science of Once and Future Things. 
Brian Hayden. 1994.  New York: W.H. Freeman and Company.  484 pp.

Reviewed by Robert M. Ehrenreich, National Research Council, 2101
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC  20418
Submitted:Jan 17, 1995.

Anyone teaching an introductory archaeology course should consider this
textbook.  The objective of this volume is not to inundate students with
reams of facts but to show how archaeologists think, what has been found,
and "what archaeology has to say about the human condition" (page ix). As
Hayden states in his introduction: "...the general view of how the world
works from an archaeological perspective is the most important and
ultimately the most interesting thing that students can take with them
after the exams have ended" (page ix).

To accomplish this objective, Hayden focuses on the characteristics of
different societies and not on the mechanics of archaeology.  Part I,
entitled 'Becoming an Adept', is only a fourth of the volume and attempts
to present enough background so students can appreciate the excavation
process and assess basic archaeological theories.  As Hayden says:  "facts
are not the most important thing you will get out of this book; it is more
important for you to appreciate new outlooks and learn to think critically
about interpretations" (page 9).  Hayden reviews the basics of site
excavation, classification, dating, and artifact and data analysis.  He
also administers a healthy dose of theory.  He discusses the development of
archaeological models and does not shy away from such topics as looting,
political manipulation of archaeological data, creationism, and popularist
concepts. Although Hayden stresses that "archaeologists tend to view major
social change...from a cultural materialist perspective" (page 13), he
presents each theory and discusses its strengths and weaknesses in a
forthright manner.  This approach is powerful because it is neither
condescending nor dismissive.  The readers are given the facts and, with a
little guidance, left to appraise the theories for themselves.  Thus, there
is little opportunity for the readers to feel that their intelligence is
being insulted or that these are the musings of an 'intellectual elitist'
who is not 'open' to radical ideas.  Other archaeologists may wish to
consider this style when trying to debate the many popularist works
currently on the market.

Part II comprises the bulk of the volume and is entitled 'Scrying with the
Mirror'.  In this section, Hayden attempts to present "not only the basic
traditional meanings of artifacts, the image, the individual symbols, the
isolated parts of the puzzle, but also the basic conceptual tools that
enable us to put the pieces together to reveal a coherent picture" (page
418).  Hayden devotes nearly 300 pages to cultural evolution from
Paleolithic hunter-gatherers to Renaissance city-states.  Each chapter
discusses what was discerned from the archaeological and ethnographic
records about the different cultures, how archaeologists approached the
information, and what theories were developed.  Hayden's discussions are
clear and simple.  He draws on examples from throughout the world but
limits each discussion to a few key examples.  This is because, as stated
above, the objective of the volume is not to confuse the reader with
needless or excessive information but to show how archaeologists interpret
the past.

In Part III, entitled 'Crossing the Abyss', Hayden again confronts an area
that many archaeologists tend to disregard, probably because it is so easy
to be wrong and quickly dates the text.  Hayden attempts to apply the
knowledge presented in the first two Parts to current and future societies.
As he states: "In the past few centuries most societies have undergone
changes that have affected the human race and cultural evolution as
profoundly as the initial establishment of the hunter-gatherer lifestyle,
the transcendence of egalitarianism, and the development of food
production" (pages 423-424).  Hayden discusses a range of topics within
this section, such as the competition for new resources that began with the
industrial revolution, changes in family structure and lifestyle, and new
cultural constraints and freedoms of choice.  Although many readers will
undoubtedly disagree with many of his ideas, they provide a solid basis for
the discussion of the application of archaeological theory to contemporary
society.

As with all books, there are weaknesses to the volume.  First, there are
some typos and the photographs are of low quality.  A few of the
reproductions are so poor that it is difficult to identify the subject
matter (e.g., Figure 2.12).  Second, some of Hayden's imagery seems
shallow.  For instance, Chapter 1 opens with the statement that
"archaeology is like a magic mirror--a mirror that permits us to look into
the dark and mysterious past"  (page 15).  Hayden then perpetuates this
allusion throughout the volume, as can be seen by the title of Part II.  I
find it difficult to believe that such Disneyesque images would truly
excite the imaginations of college students.  These weaknesses are minor,
however.

This is a solid introductory text.  Hayden interjects a good amount of
humor to keep the volume light and interesting.  He also stresses that the
theories expressed are his own and should receive the same level of
scrutiny to which he subjects the others in the volume.  Readers will not
agree with everything, but the point is that they should not acquiesce. 
Hayden challenges the readers to think for themselves.  As Hayden himself
believes, this is probably the most important thing that a text and a
teacher can do.