summary of Archaeological Theory in Dialogue by Rachel J. Crellin, Craig N. Cipolla, Lindsay M. Montgomery, and Sophie V. Moore:

Archaeological Theory in Dialogue is a collaborative exploration of how archaeological theory is produced, debated, and transformed through conversation rather than through isolated, authoritative voices. Crellin, Cipolla, Montgomery, and Moore deliberately adopt a dialogical format to emphasize that theory is not a fixed body of knowledge but a living practice that emerges through exchange, critique, and collective engagement. The book addresses major themes in archaeological thought—such as materiality, ontology, colonialism, temporality, ethics, and identity—while also reflecting on the politics of knowledge production in the discipline. By structuring their arguments as a dialogue, the authors demonstrate how theoretical positions evolve through tension, negotiation, and mutual questioning, thereby modeling a more inclusive, reflexive, and democratic way of doing theory. They also situate archaeological theory within wider debates in the humanities and social sciences, drawing on posthumanism, Indigenous scholarship, feminist theory, and decolonial perspectives to challenge entrenched Eurocentric and positivist frameworks. The text foregrounds the idea that archaeological interpretation is always shaped by relationships—between archaeologists, communities, and material remains—and that theory must therefore remain responsive, situated, and accountable. In this way, the book not only introduces students and scholars to contemporary currents in archaeological theory but also makes a methodological and ethical argument for reimagining how knowledge is created in the field. Ultimately, Archaeological Theory in Dialogue positions dialogue itself as both a method and a metaphor for a discipline committed to openness, plurality, and ongoing transformation.