A Russian Perspective on Theoretical Archaeology

Both the work and the life of Leo S. Klejn, Russias foremost archaeological theorist, remain generally unrecognized by Western scholars. Until now. In this biography and summary of his work, Stephen Leach outlines Klejns wide-ranging theoretical contributions on the place and nature of archaeology. The book details-Klejns diverse work on ethnogenesis, migration, Homeric studies, pagan Slavic religion, homosexuality, and the history of archaeology;-his life challenges as a Russian Jewish scholar, jailed for homosexuality by the KGB and for his challenges to Marxist dogma;-his key contributions to theoretical archaeology and, in particular, Klejns comparisons between archaeologists and forensic scientists.