D'Aprix, Michael S.; (2024) The Naturalized Science of Archaeology: the underlying commonalities of a diverse discipline. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

This thesis explores some neglected aspects of archaeology, focusing on some informal areas of scientific practice that have been described as those of a Vernacular Archaeology. It will be argued that a lack of clarity in the ways in which we deploy these scientific practices has fueled a fragmentation of the discipline, involving diminishment of the communication between diverse traditions of archaeology. This thesis proposes: 1) a better contextualization of the discipline to understand the extent and state of fragmentation and the value and existence of Vernacular Archaeology, 2) the development of a stable, yet dynamic domain or foundation on which archaeologists can communicate to develop, 3) a formalization of an informal naturalized practice of archaeological science that is argued to already exists within Vernacular Archaeology. The proposals and outcomes of this thesis have been informed by non-traditional methodologies that explore the valuable, yet informal, world of what is here termed Vernacular Archaeology, akin to Craft Archaeology, in which seeing, experiencing, and doing, is vital to becoming an archaeologist. To explore this often-intangible world, the author has pursued two informal methods: participant engagement and interviews. The first engaging and working within organizations like the CBA, CIfA, SAL, EAA, RPA, and more across the world of archaeology to experience the realities of the discipline that are not often documented formally but hold some of the most valuable information for the entire field. The second method explored the commonalities, differences, and potential fragmentation of archaeology through informal interviews with 40 archaeologists who have collectively worked across more than 15 countries. Additionally, two unique case studies of ASE and Çatalhöyük have been explored to address how the fragmentation of archaeology is overcome and the value of Vernacular Archaeology is captured through an informal process of reconciliation and collaboration that is defined in this thesis as a Natural Scientific Archaeology. The findings of this thesis suggests that while archaeology is fragmented, there is an important and valuable common practice in Vernacular Archaeology that could be formalized and made more accessible through a naturalization cycle if given a meaningful common foundation of an archaeological domain on which to operate.

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