An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s1.1

v1.c9.s1.1

‘Archaeologists classify the objects of their study not only by function into knives, axes, huts, tombs and so on, but also into different “types” of knives, axes, dwellings and graves. The several types of knife or tomb each fulfil roughly the same function; the differences between them repose upon divergences in the social tradition prescribing the methods of their preparation and use. In each functional class archaeologists can distinguish a variety of types current over a restricted area at a given period in archaeological time. The totality of recognized types current simultaneously in a given area is termed “culture”. ‘Archaeology is liable to become a study of cultures rather on of culture’ (Childe, 1942, p. 19). Such an itemwise study would not surely give a total picture of the life of the people of a particular culture, which is ‘more than the sum of its component items—as a wall is more than a thousand bricks’ (Krober, 1963, p. 23). But as the archaeologist studies objects left by ancient man, with reasonable inferences drawn therefrom, he has to content himself with whatever material remains are available. It must be admitted that his resources are limited.