In the last decade, a new conception of culture has emerged in sociology, out of the ashes of modernism and post-modernism, that has the potential to radically change how we think about cultural objects and groups in archaeology. Archaeology beyond Postmodernity re-evaluates current interpretive and methodological tools and adapts them to the new position. Many examples are given from Western and indigenous sciences to illustrate this different understanding of science and culture. In addition, several case studies demonstrate how it can be applied to interpret historic and prehistoric cultures.

"Martin has written a provocative and stimulating book that deserves a wide audience. . . .[I]t is fair to say that Martin's work offers one of the most in-depth and sustained attempts to grapple with the implications of a Latourian understanding of the social. . . .Still, Martin's book is a significant contribution, and whether one agrees with the particular route he chooses to take beyond postmodernity, anyone seeking to understand contemporary approaches in archaeological theory will find themselves embarrassed not to have read it." - Journal of Anthropological Research