This work investigates the fundamental epistemological and methodological frameworks that define the practice of archaeology in the modern era. The authors, Christopher Tilley and Michael Shanks, challenge traditional positivist approaches by advocating for a reflexive, post-processual perspective. They argue that archaeological interpretation is inherently political and social, requiring practitioners to acknowledge their own subjectivity when constructing narratives about the past.

Experts recognize this text as a foundational contribution to the post-processual movement in archaeology. Readers frequently note the dense, academic nature of the prose, which demands a high level of familiarity with social theory and philosophical discourse.