Death by Theory: A Tale of Mystery and Archaeological Theory - Hardcover

Thank God for Adrian Praetzellis who has given beginning archaeological students an entertaining way to pick up the basics [of archaeological theory]... It is a hoot, and sure to make a really difficult course somewhat easier to chart.--K. Kris Hirst "Archaeology.About.Com " A master historical archaeologist packages modern archaeological concepts in the deft dialogue of a murder mystery. Great as supplementary reading for an introductory course or just plain fun! First there was the Processual; then came the Post Processual; now we have the Praetzellical!--Thomas Layton, San Jose State University If students feel that theory will be the death of them, this book is the cure. It is an amusing way to tackle theory, with many points for productive discussion.--Sarah Milledge Nelson, University of Denver By framing the narrative around the themes of goddess-worship and archaeological hoaxes, Praetzellis touches on contemporary, as well as perennial concerns and creates an irresistible impetus for student discussion. His facility with the English language and wry sense of humor come through on every page. I'm looking forward to using this book in my classes.--Mary C. Beaudry, Boston College I would definitely use this book in an undergraduate course... I certainly plan to use it in a future upper-division course on history and theory of archaeology! Another added bonus to the book are the wonderful drawings by the author; Praetzellis has captured many core themes and issues with humor and clarity, and these illustrations duly credited are already in use for my 200 students this semester in introduction to archaeology!--Margaret W. Conkey, University of California, Berkeley "American Antiquity " What a refreshing book. I heartily recommend it for use in the classroom and in fact, for a general fun read outside the classroom. It is an amusing, clever, informative, and well-conceived book that defines archaeological theories in ways that are comprehensive to students. Kudos to Adrian Praetzellis for taking on this challenge and delivering such an excellent book that is sure to please.--Diana DePaolo Loren, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University "Journal Of Northeast Historical Archaeology, Vol 29, 2000 " There is a real need for a work that can make archaeological theory not only entertaining but engaging for undergraduates, and if it needs a novel format as Praetzellis has used, so much the better for those of us who have to teach theory-phobic students.--Susan Kus, Rhodes College When Archaeologist Hannah Green and her nephew Sean begin uncovering burial grounds on a Pacific Northwest island, they dig up a lot more than dirt. What surfaces is an archaeological puzzle that keeps the detective duo and the reader/sleuth turning parchment. Discoveries are plentiful, from goddess worshippers to archaeological theories, as Adrian Praetzellis takes us back in time to solve the mystery of Death By Theory. As a mystery writer, I'm delighted to say it reads like a mystery, not a textbook. I learned a lot, I must admit, but Praetzellis makes it fun to learn. In my next life, I want to be an archaeologist!--Penny Warner, author of the mysteries, "Right to Remain Silent" and "Dead Body Language" Archaeologists who have met Praetzellis will recognize his wry humor and puns throughout a teaching text in which the novel serves as a background for generalized presentations of theory. The theoretical discussions do not detract from the flow of the plot nor do they insult the reader's intelligence. They include a solid dose of real information and can lead to many valuable discussions... This text can help develop student interest in archaeological theory and its history if instructors will give it a chance. While I felt that it would be best used for an undergraduate course, a second and third reading indicated that this easily read booklet would be suitable for graduate students, especially those who come to archaeology from other undergraduate majors with little or no background in anthropology.--Lawrence E. Babits, East Carolina University "Historical Archaeology " Death by Theory is a bit of a mystery. Is it a witty mystery, appealing to aficionados with references to Conan Doyle and all manners of genre stereotypes? Is it a teaching collection of capsule definitions of archaeological theories and stances? Is it an inside joke book for archaeologists? Actually it is all of these.--Caroline Stewart Steele "Antiquity, Sept. 2002 " With its ease of explanation and helpful illustrations, Death by Theory certainly has a place on any student's shelf as the sort of book that one dips into for a quick reference. More than that, its strength and charm lies in its presentation backed up by a solid treatment of archaeological theory and, in that way, it is the ideal introductory text.--Mary-Catherine E. Garden, Dept. of Archaeology, Univ. of Cambridge, UK "European Journal Of Archaeology " Adrian Praetzellis has fun with the popularity of archaeological mysteries in his hilariously illustrated book, Death by Theory. His refreshing personalization of theoretical positions in the form of characters in the mystery aptly represents the differences new theoretical orientations make, while staying even-handed about the excesses of each of the contemporary schools of archaeological theory.--Rosemary Joyce, U.C. Berkeley "Berkeley Book List, 2003 "

This is a textbook in the form of a novel. Readers are taught archaeological theory through the novel, as they attempt to solve the mystery of the Washington Venus. When a large stone Venus is found on an island in the Pacific Northwest archaeologist, Hannah Green and her nephew, Sean, find themselves tangled in a web of competing interests. The pair have to confront questions of archaeological evidence, of ethics, of conflicting interpretation of data, and the nature of archaeological truths.