Russian Perspective on Theoretical Archaeology

Both the work and the life of Leo S. Klejn Russia’s foremost archaeological theorist remain generally unrecognized by Western scholars. Until now. In this biography and summary of his work Stephen Leach outlines Klejn’s wide-ranging theoretical contributions on the place and nature of archaeology. The book details-Klejn’s 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 Klejn’s comparisons between archaeologists and forensic scientists.