Ethnoarchaeology as a State of Mind

Abstract

This paper reflects on ethnoarchaeology as a “state of mind” rather than a discrete methodological approach. Drawing on discussions from the “Ethnoarchaeology of Livelihood” conference held in Barcelona in 2024, we situate ethnoarchaeology within broader disciplinary debates on epistemology, social relevance, and the role of archaeology in a rapidly changing world. We engage with the historical development of ethnoarchaeology, highlighting its dual trajectory between particularistic, context-specific studies and cross-cultural, model-building approaches, as well as longstanding critiques concerning analogy, epistemological bias, and limited engagement with diverse knowledge systems. Building on these discussions, we develop a perspective in which ethnoarchaeology is understood as a reflexive and relational practice grounded in epistemological and ontological plurality. This perspective emphasizes dialogue between different forms of expertise, including Indigenous and local knowledge systems, and challenges extractive or asymmetrical research models. We argue that ethnoarchaeology can contribute to more inclusive and critically informed archaeological interpretations by foregrounding variation in the present, clarifying the limits of inference, and expanding interpretive possibilities. Ultimately, ethnoarchaeology, understood as a state of mind, offers a framework for engaging with difference, fostering collaborative knowledge production, and rethinking how archaeology relates to contemporary social and environmental challenges.