Archaeology as a Plural Science: Transdisciplinarity, Multiscalarity, and the Production of Archaeological Knowledge

Abstract

This paper examines contemporary epistemological trends in European archaeology, with particular emphasis on transdisciplinarity and multiscalarity as prevailing research frameworks in the early 21st century. Beginning with debates surrounding the so-called Third Scientific Revolution in archaeology, it critically analyses the relationships among the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The discussion also addresses the implications of large-scale research for the interpretation of archaeological data, material culture, and the theoretical foundations of knowledge production about the past. Special attention is given to the problem of methodological hierarchy and the growing reliance on natural science techniques, such as ancient DNA analysis, which are often
presented as panaceas for complex questions about the past. The paper highlights the limitations of these approaches and the risks of epistemological reductionism, especially in contexts where complex social issues are reduced to quantifiable data and acontextual
evidence. In this context, the distinction between data and knowledge is also considered, as is the need for their theoretical and contextual interpretation. The ERC project Unde venis? Unravelling the Enigma of the Stećci Tombstones (STONE) serves as a catalyst for this discussion, providing a platform to explore the potential and challenges of transdisciplinary and multiscalar approaches within the post-conflict and peripheral research context of the Western Balkans. The paper advocates archaeology as a methodologically plural discipline, in which natural science, social science, and humanistic approaches are integrated around research questions. In conclusion, it argues that transdisciplinarity and multiscalarity can foster a more ethically responsible and epistemologically reflective archaeology, provided they are grounded in a clear theoretical framework and accompanied by critical self-reflection regarding their limitations.