Wason, Paul K.
"This book contends that despite traditional doubts, practical limitations, and contemporary critiques, a rigorous social archaeology is indeed possible. The early chapters outline what a productive social
archaeology might look like, covering such issues as the possibility and
prospect of cross-cultural social inference, the central importance of
archaeological theory and of social models, the nature of inequality, and the extraordinary effects rules for arranging statuses have on the character of life. The following section of the book offers a systematic review and critique of cross-cultural correlates of inequality. For
example, the ways in which residential buildings can vary are summarized and examined for how they might yield insight into a former status system. In the final chapter these correlates are used to
help answer the question, "Was catal Huyuk a ranked Neolithic town
in Anatolia?""
