Archaeological approach Grahame Clark

— pamela jane smith

clark fascinated prehistoric subsistence , social patterns. clark s approach prehistory rooted in notion human race biologically united , human diversity arose responses changing environments. 1972 onward, clark became heavily involved in use of newly developed scientific techniques analysis of archaeological material. influenced german , scandinavian archaeological models, clark drew on folklore , ethnography gain better understanding of prehistoric modes of subsistence. nevertheless did not use such analogies uncritically, believing of use when there continuous historical link between older , more recent communities , both lived in similar environmental conditions.

clark encountered development of processual archaeology during mid-20th century, when student david l. clarke became 1 of key proponents. smith believed of 1939, clark had become functionalist. proponents of processualism, referred new archaeology , rejected regarded old guard in profession. clark stayed out of theoretical debates between processualists , adherents of older schools of thought, although in letter coles expressed distress @ saw students forcing archaeological data fit preconceived notions. rejected idea archaeology pure science, claiming misguided , pathetic .