Theoretical Frameworks in Archaeology

Theoretical frameworks in archaeology are the ideas and perspectives that guide how archaeologists interpret the past. They help researchers ask questions, analyze finds, and understand human behavior, social structures, and cultural changes. Different frameworks—like focusing on social relationships, economic factors, or symbolic meanings—offer various lenses to examine artifacts and sites. These theories shape the interpretation of archaeological data, making sense of complex human histories in structured, meaningful ways. Essentially, they are the intellectual tools that connect physical evidence to broader human stories.