Niche Construction Theory in Archaeology: A Critical Review

Abstract Over the past decade, niche construction theory (NCT) has been one of fastest-growing theories or scholarly approaches in social sciences, especially within archaeology. It was proposed biological sciences 25 years ago and is often referred to as a neglected evolutionary mechanism. Given its rapid acceptance by archaeological community, it important that scholars consider how being applied look for discrepancies between applications concept. Many critical discussions NCT have already published, but most them are biology journals may be overlooked sciences. In this manuscript, my goal synthesis criticisms NCT, better allowing archaeologists independently evaluate usefulness. I focus on claims novelty differences other conceptualizing anthropogenic ecosystem impacts culture-evolution feedbacks. argue diverse concepts currently included wide-reaching purview not new, terminology useful some scholars. If proponents concept able unify their ideas, serve descriptive function, given lack testable explanatory mechanism, does clear heuristic function.