How to Do Archaeology the Right Way

Praise for the previous edition:

“[A] clearly written, compelling guide to the practice of professional archaeology.”—Library Journal

“Conveys the complex and rigorous nature of modern archaeology, and the interesting story of Florida prehistory that it yields, in an approachable manner.”—Southeastern Archaeology

“A deftly written overview of how the original inhabitants of Florida lived, and how we know how they lived.”—Florida Times-Union

“Will undoubtedly stand as an important bridge between the professional archaeological community and members of other academic disciplines, as well as the general public at large.”—Georgia Historical Quarterly

With more than 50 years of field experience between the two authors, this highly regarded volume reveals how responsible archaeologists locate, excavate, and analyze sites, middens, and remains. This second edition contains new, emended, and greatly expanded chapters about recently discovered sites and the development of sophisticated technologies to record and analyze their contents more rapidly and efficiently. The volume also showcases new dating techniques and methods in excavation, preservation, and curation.

Barbara A. Purdy, professor emerita of anthropology and curator emerita in archaeology at the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, is the author of numerous books, includingFlorida’s People during the Last Ice Age. Robert J. Austin is an independent cultural resource consultant. He has conducted archaeological fieldwork throughout Florida, the eastern and western United States, the Caribbean, and Africa for more than 35 years.