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An approach to understanding past human thought through the study of material culture. Proponents range across diverse thinkers, but Colin Renfrew is a notable figure.

A theory that explains social institutions and structures in terms of the functions they perform in a society. Proponent: Bronisław Malinowski.

This theory views changes in human society primarily through culture contacts and migrations. Proponent: Gustaf Kossinna.

A theoretical perspective that interprets archaeological information within the framework of Marxism, focusing on social conflict and materialism. Proponent: V. Gordon Childe.

A theory that emphasizes the symbolic and cognitive aspects of societies, interpreting material culture within a framework of structuralism. Proponent: Ian Hodder.

A critique of processual archaeology, emphasizing human agency, social factors, and subjective interpretations of the past. Proponent: Ian Hodder.

The belief that cultural innovations spread from one center or civilization to surrounding societies. Proponent: Grafton Elliot Smith and William James Perry.

A framework that applies the principles of biological evolution to understanding the development of human culture over time. Proponent: Michael O'Brien and R. Lee Lyman.

A theoretical framework that emphasizes the systematic, scientific study of archaeological remains to understand the processes of cultural evolution. Proponent: Lewis Binford.