An archaeology of innovation

We live in a world where ‘innovation’, ‘creativity’ and ‘invention’ are constantly used as empty buzzwords. Yet little research has been done on the long-term history of innovation beyond and before the Industrial Revolution. An archaeology of innovation offers a response to the wider dialogue on innovation, invention, and technological and social change. The book sets the idea of innovation that permeates our popular media and political and scientific discourse against the long-term perspective that only archaeology can offer. Presenting a new version of the story of human inventiveness, from our earliest hominin ancestors to the present day, it challenges the contemporary lionisation of disruptive technologies, arguing that a narrow focus on pushing technical innovations ignores the complex interplay of social, technological, and environmental systems that underlies truly innovative societies. In fact, it is the inherent connections between new technologies, technologists, and social structure that give them meaning, and conservative social practices that lead to the rejection of innovations can also be of value. Aimed primarily at archaeologists looking to explore more complex narratives of change and continuity over time, this book will also appeal to scholars in sociology and science-technology-studies keen to embed their research in a richer historical context.