This book contends that despite traditional doubts, practical limitations, and contemporary critiques, a rigorous social archaeology is indeed possible. The early chapters outline what a productive socialarchaeology might look like, covering such issues as the possibility andprospect of cross-cultural social inference, the central importance ofarchaeological theory and of social models, the nature of inequality, and the extraordinary effects rules for arranging statuses have on the character of life. The following section of the book offers a systematic review and critique of cross-cultural correlates of inequality. Forexample, the ways in which residential buildings can vary are summarized and examined for how they might yield insight into a former status system. In the final chapter these correlates are used tohelp answer the question, "Was catal Huyuk a ranked Neolithic townin Anatolia?"