Method and theory in archaeology

In archaeology, "method" refers to the specific techniques and procedures used to uncover, analyze, and interpret ancient sites and artifacts, such as excavation or dating methods. "Theory" involves the broader ideas or frameworks that guide understanding, like interpreting why a site was important or how past societies lived. Essentially, methods are the practical steps taken, while theory provides the ideas shaping the questions asked and how findings are understood. Together, they help archaeologists systematically study the human past.