Mutualist Archaeology proposes that the theory of mutualism can transform archaeology from what some to consider to be a discipline in crisis.

Charles E. Orser Jr., adjunct professor in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, is an anthropological historical archaeologist. His two most recent books are An Archaeology of the English Atlantic World, 1600-1700 and Living Ceramics, Storied Ground: A History of African American Archaeology. He is also the founder and editor of the International Journal of Historical Archaeology. His research interests include social inequality, unfree labor, and poverty.

List of Figures; List of Tables; Preface; Part I. Theory - 1. Mutualism, the Human Condition, and Archaeological Practice; 2. The Philosophical Roots of Mutualism; 3. Economic and Biological Mutualism; 4. Mutualism in Anthropology; 5. Mutual Aid; Part II. Practice - 6. Interpreting the North American Fur Trade as Mutualist Practice; 7. Indigenous Intercultural Mutualism; 8. Mutualism and Contemporary Archaeology; References; Index.