考古学理论的层次问题

On the Levels of Archaeological Theories

考古学研究中可以归纳出五个层次的考古学理论:考古材料存在特征的理论、考古材料形成过程的理论、从考古材料到人类行为层面的理论、人类行为、文化与社会理解的理论、以及关于学科发展本身的理论。不同层次考古学理论相互关联,但能够独立存在与发展,西方当前八个主要考古学理论流派分别涉及不同的理论层次深度。相比而言,中国考古学研究的主要症结在于理论研究不足。

Five levels of theories may be concluded concerning the process of archaeological research, which include： the definition of archaeological records; the formation of archaeological records; the connection between archaeological records and human behaviour; understandings of human behaviour, cultures and societies; and the development of the archaeology discipline. This paper discusses the relationships between these five levels and analyses the theoretical levels of the eight major theoretical schools of contemporary western archaeology. The problems facing Chinese archaeology - a lack of theoretical study - is also addressed.