Synopsis

Material culture is the study of material products of human manufacturing processes, or 'the history of things'. Since material culture studies re-emerged within Anglo-American archaeology and anthropology in the late 1960s, this field of study has spread to a variety of other disciplines including cultural studies, history, literary studies, semiotics, consumer studies, market research, museum studies, linguistics, design and art history, to name just a few. Almost every cultural discipline is engaged one way or another in material culture studies. However, the origins of this material 'turn' and its current state are poorly understood. This five-volume set will bring together key nineteenth and twentieth century texts along with the most significant publications from the past forty years to create an accessible and comprehensive survey of the field. Each volume includes a new introduction by the editor, placing the articles selected within their intellectual and historical context and the set is completed with a thorough index.