Archaeology of Prehistory in the Contemporary World : Deep Time in Global Urban Spaces

This book offers a timely roadmap for navigating the material and intangible legacies of prehistory with which we live today.

Drawing on a series of global case studies, field observations and real-world scenarios over a decade of his journey as the urban prehistorian, Kenneth Brophy argues that thinking and doing a contemporary archaeology of prehistory can be transformative not only in terms of how we practice, but also how we think about archaeology and the past.

The book develops several innovative approaches, including the use of psychogeography as both an intellectual framework and a fieldwork methodology for archaeologists, and the introduction of the concept of ‘hyperprehistory’ as the point of fusion between development, knowledge creation and social benefit. It combines reflections on the nature of temporality in archaeology with caution for those who imagine prehistory is consigned to deep time: warning the reader to heed what happens when it is used and abused, or politicized carelessly. However, there are also inspiring tales of communities engaging with their prehistory, of cities organized on prehistoric principles, of the resilience of the past against all odds. By focusing on the present and future of prehistory, Kenneth Brophy offers a radical new vision of how we can relate to and exist alongside our ancient past.