Research orientations in Polish archeology

Abstract

The position of Polish archaeology within the context of generally exercised practices in the investigated areas is presented. It has been claimed, that the practice which is generally applied, is culture-historical archaeology paradigm. This paradigm was shaped in the field of ethnology within German-language area, during the period in-between wars. Till not long ago it was practiced in the field of European continental archaeology. There have appeared, in the second half of 20th century, some elements of processual archaeology in Poland. Soon those elements, inspired by V.G. Childe’s theory, were given up. Nowadays we observe second turn in the direction  of culture-historical archaeology. This orientation is dominated by ethnocentric perspective and is characterized by cultural values, serving national “self-confirmation”. This culture-historical archaeology is situated on the pole opposing to post-processual archaeology, which accepts theoretical pluralism.