Ethnographic archaeology?

Question

I have an assignment to write about the advantages and disadvantages of using ethnographies to study archaeology. Other than the obvious disadvantage of misinterpreting ancient artifacts through the modern eye, and the obvious advantage of gaining a deeper understanding, what are some other pros and cons of studying archaeology in this way? Any recommendations for references?

Answer 1

Ethnographic accounts may lead to inaccurate ideas about archeaological finds.  By having preconceptions of a culture, we are likely to categorize whatever we find within that paradigm.  Similarly, ethnographic accounts may lead us to believe cultures were present in areas that they were not, or even that cultures existed when they did not (atlantis?).  

Advantages include a greater ease in locating archaeological sites, greater ease in interpreting the role and importance of archeological finds, and a more in depth understanding of the culture than can be identified from artifacts.  We might also be able to identify artifacts that are not representative of a given culture.

Answer 2

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