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Beyond Newtonian thinking – towards a non-linear archaeology : applying chaos theory to archaeology

Gerding, Henrik LU orcid and Ingemark, Dominic LU (1997) In Current Swedish Archaeology 5. p.49-64
Abstract
In this article the authors suggest that chaos theory can provide us with
a new perspective on archaeology. Newtonian thinking is predominant
in archaeology, as well as in the humanities in general. This results in
the hegemony of analytic methods and a linear way of thinking on cause
and effect. However, chaos theory has shown that behind many phen-
omena that may seem random lies order. Since these complex dynamic
systems cannot be approached by linear methods we must tum to chaos
theory and non-linear science. Chaos theory has major consequences
for our view of determinism and predictability.
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Current Swedish Archaeology
volume
5
pages
16 pages
publisher
Svenska arkeologiska samfundet
ISSN
1102-7355
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
80d26881-8c41-4ff1-bec4-4a44419daec0 (old id 1554456)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 15:51:26
date last changed
2023-11-03 13:44:07
@article{80d26881-8c41-4ff1-bec4-4a44419daec0,
  abstract     = {{In this article the authors suggest that chaos theory can provide us with<br/>a new perspective on archaeology. Newtonian thinking is predominant<br/>in archaeology, as well as in the humanities in general. This results in<br/>the hegemony of analytic methods and a linear way of thinking on cause<br/>and effect. However, chaos theory has shown that behind many phen-<br/>omena that may seem random lies order. Since these complex dynamic<br/>systems cannot be approached by linear methods we must tum to chaos<br/>theory and non-linear science. Chaos theory has major consequences<br/>for our view of determinism and predictability.}},
  author       = {{Gerding, Henrik and Ingemark, Dominic}},
  issn         = {{1102-7355}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{49--64}},
  publisher    = {{Svenska arkeologiska samfundet}},
  series       = {{Current Swedish Archaeology}},
  title        = {{Beyond Newtonian thinking – towards a non-linear archaeology : applying chaos theory to archaeology}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/4493640/4350276.pdf}},
  volume       = {{5}},
  year         = {{1997}},
}