Understanding Archaeological Theory

Initially I hadn’t planned to explore theoretical archaeology. I used to believe that the prime duty of archaeology was to unearth and investigate the material remains of the past. The reason I ventured into archaeological theory is due to my penchant for asking “why?”. Why do we hold certain beliefs? Why do we act in certain ways? What underpinning theories form the basis of an archaeologist’s assertions? How does an archaeologist’s understanding differ from that of an enthusiast? Such queries invariably lead us to the realm of theory. It would be preposterous to conceive of a discipline bereft of theory. Yet, what can theory truly contribute to archaeology?