A Grammar of the Archaeological Record (Version 2, Beta release)

Hermeneutics

Heritage and grammar

Giorgio Buccellati – April 2026

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Introduction

The hermeneutic process may seem detached from the excavation moment, hence not susceptible to grammatical analysis. To some extent, this is true: the effort at defining what heritage is and at encouraging appropriation requires a set a guidelines and of methods that go beyond epistemics as presented here, hence beyond grammar.

There is, however, an important hermeneutic dimension that must inscribed in the excavation itself, hence in the archaeological grammar that articulaztes and conveys the knowledge derived from that process. There are two aspects in particular that must be stressed.

  • The first concerns the attitude one brings to the excavation. This rests on the recognition of a fundamental dignity of the material excavated, and on a heightened measure of respect for the human dimension of the finds.
  • The second concerns the way in which this attitude is translated into practice and can thus become “grammaticalized.”

relationship to integrative

primarily in area books not in unit books

We can look at three moments and some relative examples.

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Dignity of the dead

cloth and wooden “coffins” removal of modern burials

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Dignity of culture

figurines

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Dignity of the human past

worlmen by altar at temple

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Refrences

Christian Greco

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