Unmaking Waste

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Exploring the complexities of waste, Sarah Newman delves into historical and cultural disagreements surrounding its definition and treatment. She contrasts ancient Mesoamerican views with Euro-American perspectives in New Spain and early modern European notions of civility. By examining these varied understandings, Newman challenges long-held assumptions about waste across different contexts. She advocates for "anamorphic archaeology," a method recognizing the multifaceted nature of archaeological objects, suggesting that they possess diverse physical and conceptual significances.