description Julian Thomas Overview
Julian Thomas is a British archaeologist at the University of Manchester known for his post-processual interpretations of Neolithic Britain. He was a co-author of the foundational 1984 text 'Re-Constructing Archaeology,' which helped introduce post-processual theory to the discipline. His research focuses heavily on the Neolithic period, including significant excavations at Stonehenge and its surrounding landscape. Thomas frequently applies theoretical critiques of culture-historical archaeology to better understand prehistoric social structures.
help Julian Thomas FAQ
What does Julian Thomas study?
Julian Thomas is a British archaeologist at the University of Manchester whose work focuses on Neolithic Britain and northwestern Europe. His research also examines archaeological theory and the history of archaeological thought.
Why is Julian Thomas associated with post-processual archaeology?
Post-processual archaeology emphasizes interpretation, meaning, social context, and the role of the researcher rather than treating archaeology as purely objective measurement. Thomas applied that interpretive approach to Neolithic societies and material culture.
Which Julian Thomas book is useful for understanding the Neolithic?
Understanding the Neolithic, published in 1999, is one of Thomas's best-known books on the subject. It developed from his earlier work Rethinking the Neolithic, first published in 1991.
Did Julian Thomas co-write Re-Constructing Archaeology?
No, the influential book Re-Constructing Archaeology was published in 1987 by Michael Shanks and Christopher Tilley. Julian Thomas is associated with post-processual archaeology, but he should not be listed as that book's co-author.
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