On Objectivity and Actualism in Archaeology

Abstract

In archaeology objectivity is both possible and necessary. Objectivity primarily means that we at least try to find the truth about what happened in prehistory. A minor fact is worth more than a great fiction. Archaeological actualism has three main variants: ethnoarchaeology, archaeological experiments, and our own personal, subjective impressions of the archaeological material compared with basic physical phenomena in the world around us. Personal actualistic explanations are acceptable and useful if they concern general human conditions.