Gordon R. Willey and American archaeology

About this book

"A preeminent archaeologist and New World theorist, Gordon R. Willey made innumerable contributions to the prehistory of the Americas and helped establish the leading methodological and theoretical paradigm used in American archaeology. He was particularly devoted to what studies of ceramics and other artifacts could tell us about "space-time systematics."" "This volume of essays gauges the wide-ranging impact of Willey's lifework. The editors have selected ten of his key publications and solicited assessments of their lasting influence from well-known archaeologists. These works cut across geographic regions and areas of inquiry and represent some of the most challenging intellectual questions in archaeology, explaining Willey's methods while revealing how greatly his work shaped the field." "This volume not only analyzes Willey's impact on culture history and archaeological thought but also shows his human side, places his writing in historical context, and offers a unique overview of the growth of American archaeology over the past decades. To understand the work of Gordon R. Willey is to understand the history and future direction of American archaeology."--Jacket.