The Archaeology Of Difference: Gender, Ethnicity, Class And The 'other' In Antiquity. Studies In Honor Of Eric M Meyers (annual Of Asor)
by Douglas R Edwards /
2005 / English / PDF
17.2 MB Download
What distinguishes an individual or a group in ancient society? How
do issues of gender, ethnicity, social stratification and the view
of the 'other' impact individuals, groups, and societal attitudes?
Foucault in his classic work, The Archaeology of Knowledge,
observes that layers of information embedded in language and
society often elucidate the unspoken assumptions that individuals,
groups or societies hold most dear. What is perceived to
distinguish one group can carry such symbolic power that whole
societies structure their laws, gender roles, ethnic identities,
and views toward the "other" in the light of perceived differences.
The ancient world was dominated by such differences. Clothing,
hair, costume, housing, gender, religion, set apart one from the
other. Ascertaining the rules governing difference in antiquity is
challenging. Such rules were generally assumed, not clearly
delineated. To determine "the archaeology of difference" the
studies in this volume draw on textual and material culture. How
does archaeological data illuminate gender or ethnicity or
interactions and views of the "other"? What in the archaeological
evidence elucidates the attitude toward women's role in society or
Jewish perspectives on the Gentiles or attitudes toward the dead?
What in texts illuminates the "other" especially as it relates to
the writer's or narrator's perception?
What distinguishes an individual or a group in ancient society? How
do issues of gender, ethnicity, social stratification and the view
of the 'other' impact individuals, groups, and societal attitudes?
Foucault in his classic work, The Archaeology of Knowledge,
observes that layers of information embedded in language and
society often elucidate the unspoken assumptions that individuals,
groups or societies hold most dear. What is perceived to
distinguish one group can carry such symbolic power that whole
societies structure their laws, gender roles, ethnic identities,
and views toward the "other" in the light of perceived differences.
The ancient world was dominated by such differences. Clothing,
hair, costume, housing, gender, religion, set apart one from the
other. Ascertaining the rules governing difference in antiquity is
challenging. Such rules were generally assumed, not clearly
delineated. To determine "the archaeology of difference" the
studies in this volume draw on textual and material culture. How
does archaeological data illuminate gender or ethnicity or
interactions and views of the "other"? What in the archaeological
evidence elucidates the attitude toward women's role in society or
Jewish perspectives on the Gentiles or attitudes toward the dead?
What in texts illuminates the "other" especially as it relates to
the writer's or narrator's perception?