Article Analysis Essay on Agency and Archaeology

Introduction

Dornan, (2002) in the article, 'Agency and Archaeology' examine the dynamics of the study of archaeology for the past, the present, and the future. The author is informed by the growing interest in social sciences and particularly the interest in agency theory. Moreover, the researcher carries out a critical evaluation of the various approaches that have recently been used in archaeology. The researcher offers an outline of the theories of Anthony Giddens and Pierre Bourdieu after which it discusses the issues as well as the central themes that emerge from contemporary approaches to the theory of agency in archaeology. The establishment of conceptual clarity in the thinking of archaeologists lays the primary foundation for the paper in the bid to distinguish between the significance, results as well as the motives at the time of seeking for comprehension of objectivities of actors in history.

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'Agency and Archaeology' takes the form of a qualitative study analysis and examines various scholars' approaches to the theory of agency. Ian Hodder posits that Agency ought to be examined via the lives lived (Dornan, 2002). Different from Hodder, James Bell examines the same subject from a point of individualism. On the one hand, Timothy Pauketat posits that When the theory of agency is applied using the practice approach to archaeology, it shows a shift in the center of social change (Dornan, 2002). The change has led to what constitutes a satisfactory explanation. On the other hand, Arthur Joyce offers a perspective on social struggle and practical rationality in her examination of the same theory (Dornan, 2002). Future direction for the agency theory points to structure and the individual as the unit for analysis for measuring the central issue in the theory. Rationality and resistance are mentioned as important facets for the explication of the theory.

Overall, the agency theory can variously be applied to enhance past, present and future comprehension of archaeology. Consequences for use of the theory must be weighed against the intentions of use to realize a balanced approach to the study. The researcher argues that an effective approach to agency requires a reflexive and delicate movement between patterns of practice and an exploration of structural events. Moreover, the researcher posits that there is a need to strike a balance between the historically unique macro scale as well as micro processes and long term processes. The author acknowledges that it might be impossible to entirely reconstruct such intricate information given the limited scope of the study of archaeology. However, she notes that an approach to the theory of agency ought to incorporate as much information as can be gathered to create the most comprehensive and inclusive account.

Reference

Dornan, J. (2002). Agency and Archaeology: Past, Present, and Future Directions. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 9(4), 301-328.