Horizontes Culturales versus formaciones sociales en la Prehistoria Reciente del Sureste y la Alta Andalucía

Abstract

This paper shows the difference between the descriptive classification concepts used by archeologists and the explanatory ones necessary for historical research. We state thar the use of classification concepts is a previous and necessary stage in the genesis of historica! explanafions, bu! they are useless for achieving this goal by themselves without the help of historienl explanatory concepts. However, we think traditional descriptive concepts mus! be hierarchized in arder to homogenize their use and make them understandable to al! researchers. Their traditional use mus! be taken into account to suggest their ordination in descending order as flllows: Cultural Horizon, Culture, Archaeological Group and Archaeological Subgroup.