7. Neuroarchaeology

“Neuroarchaeology” in the broad sense refers to any application of neuroscience theory and methods to archaeological questions. This includes the interpretation of archaeological materials in terms of the cognitive operations and neural substrates they are thought to imply as well as the experimental study of archaeologically-visible behaviors using neuroscience methods. The particular strengths and interests of archaeology have led neuroarchaeologists to focus on three broad themes in neuroscience theory: grounded cognition, executive function, and social cognition. Much of the published work in neuroarchaeology has consisted of attempts to apply neuroscience perspectives on these topics to interpretations of the archaeological record. Experimental neuroarchaeology, a straightforward methodological extension of conventional experimental archaeology, has been less common. This may change with the increasing availability of neuroscience methods for investigating complex, real-world behaviors. The use of neuroimaging methods to study experimental stone tool-making provides one example. Archaeology and neuroscience are united in the quest to understand human nature but remain deeply divided by disciplinary history, culture, methods, career paths, and institutional support. Whereas the utility of neuroscience methods to archaeology is clear, there has been less interest among neuroscientists in the potential contributions of archaeological strengths in the study of evolution and material culture. The future of “neuroarchaeology” as just another niche focus within archaeology or as something more will ultimately depend on its relevance to the questions and research agendas of neuroscientists.