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Archaeological Context and Systemic Context

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Michael B. Schiffer
Michael B. Schiffer*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Arizona
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Abstract

The cultural aspect of the processes responsible for forming the archaeological record is argued to be an underdeveloped branch of archaeological theory. A flow model is presented by which to view the "life history" or processes of systemic context of any material element. This model accounts for the production of a substantial portion of the archaeological record. The basic processes of this model are: procurement, manufacture, use, maintenance, and discard. Refuse labels the state of an element in archaeological context. The spatial implications of the model suggest a largely untapped source of behavioral information. Differential refuse disposal patterns are examined as they affect artifact location and association. The meaning of element relative frequencies in refuse is discussed.

Type
Articles
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 37 , Issue 2 , April 1972 , pp. 156 - 165
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1972

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