A Gentle Shock of Mild Surprise: Surface ecologies and the archaeological encounter

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This chapter aims to discuss studies by probing into the methodical implications of a post-humanist focus, that is, how to do archaeological fieldwork from a post-humanist perspective. It examines the one consequence of the post-human-ist orientation is to ‘decentre’ the ordinary discursive mode of inquiry, revolving around meaning, purpose, linear narrative, plot and explanation, and instead allow questions, curiosity and confusion to emerge in the delayed, purposeless encounter with surfaces. The methodical disposition therefore needs to frame an attitude to the unexpected surface encounter without immediately leading from wonder to explanation. Contending that an object is seen better by looking away, by giving way to wonder, and to dwell with the affective response to the encounter can seem iconoclastic in the field of archaeology, where exhaustive accounts and meticulous analyses of objects are normally celebrated as a cardinal point of the disciplinary methods.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHeritage Ecologies
EditorsTorgeir Rinke Bangstad, Þóra Pétursdóttir
Number of pages20
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherRoutledge
Publication date2021
Pages145-164
Chapter9
ISBN (Electronic)9781315101019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
SeriesArchaeological Orientations

    Research areas

  • Faculty of Humanities - Ecologies, Surfaces, Insignificance, Subjectivity, Photography, Archaeology, Multispecies

ID: 197198132