Publications and Bibliographies

If you have any comments or suggestions about these informational postings, or any questions on cataloging which you would like answered, please send them to the Subject and Bibliographic Access Committee. The Committee is always looking for more questions for this monthly column.

What headings are available for different methods/theories in archaeology?

Library of Congress Subject Headings uses the term "Archaeology" to mean archaeology as a branch of learning. The heading may be divided geographically for works on this branch of learning in a specific place. ("Excavations (Archaeology)" is the term used for archaeological excavations and archaeological sites.)

The term "Archaeology" can be subdivided by many headings. Two are used most commonly when refering to the theories and methods of the discipline. "Archaeology--Philosophy" is used for archaeological theories. Individual theoretical disciplines are also established; for example: Marxian archaeology. "Archaeology--Methodology" is used for books which cover both the theory and practice of procedures to be followed. Again, individual methodologies are also established. Some examples are: Archaeological dating; Archaeological physics; Archaeometry; Geophysics in archaeology; Petrology in archaeology; Radiography in archaeology; Soil science in archaeology, etc. Finally, there are many sub-disciplines of archaeology that are individually established. Some examples are: Forest archaeology, Motion pictures in archaeology, Music archaeology, Underwater archaeology, Urban archaeology, Volunteer workers in archaeology, etc.

To see a full list of the various archaeological subject headings available, look under "Archaeology," "Archaeology--Methodology" and "Archaeology--Philosophy" in the Library of Congress Subject Headings. A list of narrower terms is available under each of these subject headings.

*** NOTE: If you have a book on an archaeological discipline that has not been established, and you would like a subject heading for this discipline added to the Library of Congress Subject Headings, please fill out the form on the ANSS Web site at: http://www.lib.odu.edu/anss/subjprop.html Cut and paste this form into an e-mail to Isabel Quintana or Fred Hay. Our committee is dedicated to funneling new headings in the field of anthropology/sociology to the Library of Congress. ***