This is a reprinted edition of one of the most influential books Schiffer wrote, originally for Academic Press. One of the most important treatments of archaeological methodology. Although it will undoubtedly be a controversial book, even those who do not accept the Schifferian approach will find some imaginative, well-formulated methods that can be used to obtain information about the past - Stephen Plog, American Antiquity. Must be distinguished from the collection of articles by Schiffer published by University of Utah Press called Behavioural Archaeology .