Memory and Material Culture

Memory and Material Culture by Andrew Jones, published by Cambridge University Press on September 10, 2007, is an illustrated work comprising 274 pages. This book explores the relationship between the material world and the formation of collective memory, presenting a critique of how artifacts are perceived in archaeological discourse. Jones argues for a nuanced understanding of artifacts as mnemonic traces that influence sensory experiences, rather than merely as symbols or units of information.
Readers will find that the book employs detailed case studies from prehistoric Europe to illustrate its central thesis. It delves into the interplay between mnemonic traces and networks of reference found in both artefactual and architectural forms. By examining these connections, the work contributes to discussions in social science, archaeology, psychology, and anthropology, offering insights into how material culture shapes collective memory.
Official synopsis Publisher
In this book, Andrew Jones argues that the material world offers a vital framework for the formation of collective memory. He uses the topic of memory to critique the treatment of artifacts as symbols by interpretative archaeologists and artifacts as units of information (or memes) by behavioral archaeologists, instead arguing for a treatment of artifacts as forms of mnemonic trace that have an impact on the senses. Using detailed case studies from prehistoric Europe, he further argues that archaeologists can study the relationship between mnemonic traces in the form of networks of reference in artefactual and architectural forms.
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