Lewis Binford

Lewis Roberts Binford, Ph.D. (born 21 November 1930 [ [http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/biography/abcde/binford_lewis.html Lewis R. Binford ] ] in Norfolk, Virginia), is an American archaeologist, known as the leader of the "New Archaeology" movement of the 1950s/60s. In 2001 Dr. Binford became an "emotionally involved couple" with Amber Johnson, his graduate student assistant, and moved to Missouri where they are now married. His wife is currently a professor at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO.

Lewis Binford is predominantly known for his contributions to archaeological theory and his promotion of ethno-archaeological research. As a leading advocate of the "New Archaeology" movement of the 1960's, he proposed a number of ideas that matured into processualism. He and others argued that there should be emphasis on the application of scientific methodologies as well as the hypothetico-deductive method to archaeology. He places a strong emphasis on generalities and the way in which human beings interact with their ecological niche, defining culture as the extrasomatic means of adaptation. Binford's work can largely be seen as a reaction to the culture history approach that preceded the new/processual archaeology.

Although his thought has, like that of most scholars, shown noticeable development over the years, Binford has been criticized for his supposed dogmatism and refusal to accept criticism. In particular, although it is clear from reading his work, Binford's concept of archaeology has developed, Binford himself rarely acknowledges this and as a result has been lead into a number of confrontational debates (see 1). He has been involved in several high profile and often tensely worded debates including arguments with James Sackett on the nature and function of style and on symbolism and methodology with Ian Hodder. He has spoken out and reacted to a number of schools of thought, particularly the post-processual school, the behavioural school, and the symbolic and postmodern anthropologies. Binford is also known for a friendlier rivalry with French archaeologist François Bordes, with whom he argued over the interpretation of Mousterian sites.

Some of Binford's early work was prepared in collaboration with then-wife Sally Binford. Their best-known collaboration is the influential anthology "New Perspectives In Archaeology".

Binford's latest book, "Constructing Frames of Reference" (2001) was intensively edited by his then wife Nancy Stone.

Background

Lewis Binford was raised near the Atlantic coast in rural Virginia. His family's usual income came through carpentry, and he put his own skills in this area to use as a graduate student when he started his own contracting business. His interest in anthropology was sparked while working as an interpreter for the U.S. Army in rural villages in postwar Okinawa.

Education

Binford's education includes a B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina and an M.A. and a Ph.D. (1964) from the University of Michigan. [ [http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/biography/abcde/binford_lewis.html Lewis R. Binford ] ] In 2000, he received an honorary doctorate at Leiden University for his role in the development of a more scientific archaeology.

Awards and Recognition

The Society for American Archaeology awarded Binford a Lifetime Achievement Award at their annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia (May 28, 2008).

Works

*"Constructing frames of reference:an analytical method for archaeological theory building using hunter-gatherer and environmental data sets" Berkeley: University of California Press, (2001) ISBN 0520223934
*"Debating Archaeology" San Diego: Academic Press, (1989) ISBN 0121000451
*"Faunal Remains from Klasies River Mouth" (1984) ISBN 0-12-100070-2
*"In Pursuit of the Past: Decoding the Archaeological Record" (1983) ISBN 0-520-23339-5
*"Bones, Ancient Men and Modern Myths" (1981) ISBN 0-12-100035-4
*"Nunamiut Ethnoarchaeology" (1978) ISBN 0-12-100040-0
*"An archaeological perspective" New York: Seminar Press, (1972) ISBN 0128077506
*"New Perspectives in Archaeology" (1968) ISBN 0-202-33022-2
*"Archaeology as Anthropology" (1963)

References

See “A Bone to Pick: Interview with Paul Halstead: The processualist/post-processualist controversy http://www.assemblage.group.shef.ac.uk/4/4halst8.html , accessed 6 October 2007, for a discussion of such an incident.

External links

* [http://www.smu.edu/ANTHRO/faculty/lBinford/lBinford.htm Lewis Binford] – Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University