Towards and Experiential Archaeology. From Site to Place Through the Body

Following the lead of other disciplines, such as anthropology, philosophy and sociology, archaeology has recently started questioning the assumptions underlying the notion of space employed in the interpretation of the past, and field practice. In reflecting on, and acknowledging, Harry Lourandos’ contribution to theoretical archaeology, and more specifically to the interpretation of Australian prehistory, we focus on changing conceptualisations of spatiality in the discipline and highlight the major theoretical shifts in this development. In tracing Lourandos’ theoretical and methodological approach we argue that his conceptualisation of spatiality constitutes its most innovative contribution and most enduring legacy. The critical trajectory we follow aligns itself with emerging archaeological approaches to the production of knowledge about other/past people (Thomas 2002:30) and explores the influence exercised by notions of place (David 2002), embodiment (Fisher and Loren 2003), perception and experience (Hamilakis et. al. 2002).