Middle Range Theory Essay

Archaeologists build their interpretations through the gathering of data, and then use that data to form their interpretations. Archaeologists gather and collect data using experimental archaeology and ethno-archaeology. Archaeologists then use middle range theory to discover links between the found data to form new interpretations of the past. Once this data has been collected an analogy can then be used by taking the newfound data to help learn about the past. They can use these interpretations to gain a better understanding of human activities from the past, so they can learn more about the period. A strong interpretation in archaeology can be described as giving an insight into past life from the observation and studying of found remains. Building interpretations can lead to new archaeological discoveries that may have otherwise never been known.

When it comes to buildings new interpretations of the past, experimental archaeology is a helpful tool.

Once an archaeologist has evidence middle range theory can be used to determine how found data can be linked to the past from the present. Middle range theory is crucial to archaeologists making their interpretations. With just the data alone there is not enough information for archaeologists to make assumptions. Middle range theory is the main missing piece to tie together the evidence from the past to the present. Johnson explains middle range theory, "Such propositions are called middle-range by Binford because they link, in his words, statics to dynamics, and particular observations of the archaeological record to general theories about the past” (Johnson, p.52). By linking collected data found from the past, archaeologists can use middle range theory to make assumptions about whether or not past theories may be accurate. Middle range theory is a crucial element in the building of archaeological