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Digging Deeper
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Digging Deeper
An Introduction to Archaeology in the 21st Century



January 2027 | 384 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Focused on contemporary and active archaeology, Digging Deeper: Introduction to Archaeology in the 21st Century teaches students how archaeology is connected to their world now. This book helps instructors cultivate student interests with robust learning activities that emphasize common student concerns such as the environment, social identity, power, and equity, laying the foundation for future engagement in the discipline. Authors Jane Eva Baxter, April Nowell, and Traci Ardren also focus on the multivocality of modern archaeology, bringing due attention to the many diverse voices from the field. These stories showcase previously "invisible populations" and discuss ethical concerns, considerations, and future solutions. Organized with an "inverted" approach, the text follows the general path archaeologists take in developing a research project from the stages of conceptualization, through methodology, analysis, and publication.

Sage Vantage Learning Platform
This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.

Highlights
  • NEW! An AI Literacy module prepares students to engage confidently with today's AI tools through an interactive, outcomes-focused experience—with minimal instructor lift and no course redesign required. Available exclusively in Sage Vantage and written by professors who teach and publish about AI, the AI Information Literacy, Academic Integrity, and Responsible AI Use integrates video, data driven examples, applied activities, Knowledge Checks, and built-in assessments that help instructors track student understanding. Focused on strengthening critical thinking, the module teaches students how to evaluate AI outputs for accuracy and bias while developing responsible prompting strategies that support academic success without compromising students' intellectual growth.
 
Chapter 1: Welcome to Archaeology: It’s about People and Practice
Welcome to Archaeology- Some Introductions

 
Archaeology as a Profession

 
Areas of Specialization in Archaeology

 
Common Ground that Brings Archaeologists Together

 
Some Essential Ideas and Concepts You Need to Know

 
Engaging Ethics: Introducing Archaeology’s Professional Codes and Standards

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 2: History of Archaeology
Where We Came From

 
The Culture-History Paradigm

 
Paradigm Shifts and The New Archaeology

 
Iain Hodder and the Post-Processualist Critique

 
Where We are Now

 
Engaging Ethics—Democratizing Data Access

 
Chapter Summary

 
Bibliography

 
Key Words

 
 
Chapter 3: Who Are Archaeologists?
So, Who Are Archaeologists?

 
Where Do Archaeologists Work?

 
Common Ground

 
Engaging Ethics: Sexual Harassment in Archaeology

 
Chapter Summary

 
References Cited

 
 
Chapter 4: Heritage and Archaeology in Communities
The Past is Also in the Present

 
Archaeology and Identity Movements

 
Archaeology and Tourism

 
Community Archaeology

 
Chapter Summary

 
References

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 5: Landscapes and Large-Scale Archaeological Investigations
Landscape as Artifact

 
The Evolution of Landscape Archaeology and Emergence of Settlement Pattern Studies

 
Techniques for Understanding Archaeological Landscapes

 
The Importance of Geographic Information Systems

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
References

 
 
Chapter 6: Site-Based Inquiries in Archaeology
Excavating Sites

 
Types of Data Found at Archaeological Sites

 
Dating Archaeological Sites

 
Site Formation Processes and Taphonomy

 
Engaging Ethics: Care and Stewardship of sites

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 7: Lab Work and Material Analysis
Human Remains

 
Ecofacts

 
Common Artifact Types

 
Typologies: Making Sense out of Chaos

 
From Statics to Dynamics

 
Dating Material Culture

 
Engaging Ethics

 
Chapter Summary

 
Bibliography

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 8: Interdisciplinarity in Archaeology- From Analyzing Objects to Reconstructing Past Lives
Why Interdisciplinarity?

 
Archaeology and the Historical Record

 
Archaeology, Oral Traditions, and Indigenous Knowledge

 
Archaeology and Socio-Cultural Anthropology

 
Experimental Archaeology

 
Archaeology and STEM

 
Engaging Ethics: The changing ethics of collaboration

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
Chapter Features

 
References

 
 
Chapter 9: Global Case Studies and Big Archaeological Questions
Connecting Research Questions, Methodologies, and Interpretation

 
Port Royal and Heritage Preservation

 
Stonehenge and Reconstructing Belief

 
Yaxuna, Coba, and State Infrastructure

 
Angkor Wat and Economic Organization

 
The Ysterfontein Shell Midden and Climate Change

 
Chapter Summary

 
References

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 10: Museums, Data Archiving, Storing and Curating Archaeological Materials
A Multitude of Amazing Things

 
Ethical Obligations

 
Museums are Where People Learn about the Past and Its Impact on the Present

 
How Museums use Artifacts to Interpret the Past

 
Issues of Power and Knowledge Production

 
Chapter Summary

 
References

 
Key Terms

 
Chapter 11: Communicating Archaeology-The Stories We Choose To Tell

 
Sharing Archaeological Knowledge

 
Different Ways of Disseminating Archaeological Knowledge

 
When Stories Are Not Ours to Tell

 
Engaging Ethics

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
Bibliography

 
 
Chapter 12: After the Course Is Over: Engaging Archaeology in the World
Archaeology in Media, Politics, and Tourism

 
Archaeology as Muse and Selling Point: Fashion, Architecture, Art, and Food

 
Ways to Actively Engage with Archaeology

 
Chapter Summary

 
References Cited

 
Chapter Features

 

This text draws readers into the processes of archaeological research with an emphasis on what is done after fieldwork ends. Chapters on museum curation, community heritage, and storytelling cast archaeologists are part of a much larger world of knowledge production and preservation.

Professor April Beisaw
Vassar College
Batch 3 review

A clean, contemporary introduction to archaeology written in an accessible style. It is filled with great examples of how archaeologists do what it is they do and discusses many of the most critical challenges facing the field as it navigates a postcolonial future where authority and science are under threat.

Professor Mark Aldenderfer
University of California, Merced
Batch 3 review

This introductory text is incredibly accessible to students with no background in archaeology. It is clear, descriptive, and doesn't make too many assumptions about what the students might already know.

Professor Jessica Yann
Michigan State University
Batch 3 review

This text presents a clear discussion of the state of contemporary archaeological practice and how the field has shifted globally away from an  imperialistic pursuit of colonial power to a multitude of voices expressing the unwritten history of the populations that mainstream historical researchers have been unable to include in their work.

Professor Daniel Costura
Marist University
Batch 3 review

The authors have written an engaging textbook that goes beyond the typical "how to do archaeology" to also include fundamental, 21st century issues, such as diversity and representation.

Professor Matt O'Mansky
Youngstown State University
Batch 1 review

FINALLY! A textbook that talks about ethics in the first chapter!... This book has the potential to really set itself apart from other intro texts. It looks well organized, comprehensive, and above all, interesting.

Professor John D. Seebach
Colorado Mesa University

The fact that the authors include so many forms of "interpretainment" is just so cool. They demonstrate that obviously archaeology affects us all!

Professor Phyllisa Eisentraut
Santa Barbara City College

This is a great addition to Archaeology texts. I'm not sure I've seen this type of behind-the-scenes details in any other archaeology textbook. I love this!

Professor Heather Smith Mode
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Key features
  • This text is available in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
    • NEW! An AI Literacy module prepares students to engage confidently with today's AI tools through an interactive, outcomes-focused experience—with minimal instructor lift and no course redesign required. Available exclusively in Sage Vantage and written by professors who teach and publish about AI, the AI Information Literacy, Academic Integrity, and Responsible AI Use module integrates video, data driven examples, applied activities, Knowledge Checks, and built-in assessments that help instructors track student understanding. Focused on strengthening critical thinking, the module teaches students how to evaluate AI outputs for accuracy and bias while developing responsible prompting strategies that support academic success without compromising students’ intellectual growth.
  • Rethinks archaeology for the 21st century with a fresh alternative to dated introductory texts.
  • Explores archaeology through "people and practice," connecting past societies with today's practitioners.
  • Confronts contemporary issues head-on, including post-colonial reckonings and disciplinary change.
  • Dedicated Engaging Ethics features tackle ethics in every chapter.
  • First-person Voices segments in each chapter let students hear directly from working archaeologists.
  • Hands-on Dig Deeper activities at every chapter's close put ideas into action.
  • Activities built for both online and in-person classrooms allow for different approaches to teaching.
  • Connects archaeology across disciplines, reflecting how knowledge is built today.