Theoretical framework

Abstract

Every scientific inquiry is—implicitly or explicitly—guided by assumptions about the nature of its object of investigation and the epistemological value of its analytical units. In order to explain the basic assumptions of this study, this chapter discusses its theoretical framework. It starts by explaining what is considered a site and discussing the problems of palimpsests. Special attention is given to tool types as analytical units and the question whether or not they possess emic significance of some kind and what they can tell in terms of interaction. Eventually, the use of ethnographic analogies is discussed briefly with a focus on territoriality and ethnicity.