Gender in Archaeology: Analyzing Power and Prestige

by Sarah Milledge Nelson

Overview

This new edition of the first comprehensive feminist, theoretical synthesis of the archaeological work on gender reflects the extensive changes in the study of gender and archaeology over the past 8 years. New issues—such as sexuality studies, the body, children, and feminist pedagogy—enrich this edition while the author updates work on the roles of women and men in such areas as human origins, the sexual division of labor, kinship and other social structures, state development, and ideology. Nelson provides examples from gender-specific archaeological studies worldwide to examine such traditional myths as woman the gatherer, the goddess hypothesis, and the Amazon warriors, replacing them with a more nuanced, informed treatment of gender based on the latest research. She also examines the structure of the archaeology in her attempt to understand and change a discipline that has made women all but invisible both as researchers and objects of research. Honored as a Choice Magazine Outstanding Academic Book, Nelson's work will continue to be the benchmark for archaeologists interested in gender as a subject of research and in the profession.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780759115743
Publisher:	AltaMira Press
Publication date:	03/15/2004
Series:	Gender and Archaeology
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	232
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Sarah Milledge Nelson is John Evans Professor of Archaeology at the University of Denver, where she is faculty in the Anthropology Department and Director of Asian Studies. Some recent books include The Archaeology of Korea (1993), The Archaeology of Northeast China (ed.)(1995), Gender in Archaeology(1997) which won the Choice Outstanding Academic Book Award, and Ancient Queens: Archaeological Explorations (ed)(2003).

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface to the 2nd Edition
Chapter 2 Acknowledgements to the 1st Edition
Chapter 3
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter 4
Chapter Two: The Creation of Power and Prestige
Chapter 5
Chapter Three: Interpreting Gender in the Past: Theories and Strategies
Chapter 6
Chapter Four: In the Beginning: Archaeology, Gender, and Origins Research
Chapter 7
Chapter Five: Gender and the Division of Labor: Interpreting Material Culture
Chapter 8
Chapter Six: Households and Domestic Groups: Interpreting Places and Relationships
Chapter 9
Chapter Seven: The Larger Community: Power and Prestige
Chapter 10
Chapter Eight: Human Images and Ideology: Beliefs about Gender
Chapter 11
Chapter Nine: New Paths to Gender in Archaeology
Chapter 12
Chapter Ten: Gender, Agency, and Muted Voices
Chapter 13 Bibliography
Chapter 14 Name Index
Chapter 15 Subject Index
Chapter 16 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Nelson (archaeology, Univ. of Denver) presents a lucid, scholarly demonstration of the importance of an archaeological approach to the past that focuses on the evidence for the roles of women and men, freed from the androcentric assumptions that have shaped our thinking. She argues that "a gendered archaeology is an improved archaeology...and one that makes possible a less distorted view." She draws on case studies from diverse cultures in the prehistoric past as she explores issues and topics such as division of labor, women within social systems and in the public sphere, and women and ideology, including a fascinating review of the interpretations of so-called "mother goddess" figures from the Upper Paleolithic. Drawing on the work of many women engaged in gendered archaeology, Nelson does a great service to colleagues and readers by giving much needed attention to the work being done in this field. For anthropology, archaeology, and women's studies collections.Joan W. Gartland, Detroit P.L.

Library Journal

As a source book for both the history of thought in, and the current development of, archaeological feminist theory, this book is an invaluable resource. The bibliography alone is straggering...and will no doubt become an automatic "first stop" for students and other interested parties. The book should perhaps be recommended reading for any archaeologist in need of a reminder that there are always other ways of looking at things. Finally, and most importantly, it provides an unpleasant though necessary snap-shot of attitudes that we might have hoped would die out unassisted.

Cosmos 14 - David Trevarthen

A comprehensive analysis of research on gender in early societies written from the perspective of a distinguished anthropological archeologist.. .. A must for scholars and students (graduate and undergraduate) interested in how the richly textured analysis of gender is revolutionizing our concepts of the past.

Choice Reviews

In this volume, Sarah Nelson provides a synthesis that should receive attention as an introductory archaeology text, beyond its obvious use for gender studies and feminist research.

Kathleen M. Bolen

This volume is more than just a helpful review of the classic and current literature on gender issues in archaeology.…Nelson makes the link—between gender roles involved in the development and practice of archaeology and those gendered assumptions that underlie archaeological models of past society—the integrating theme of this volume.

Journal of Anthropological Research

Despite a rapidly growing literature, engendered archaeology remains a misunderstood and marginalized aspect of our discipline. Sarah Nelson's Gender in Archaeology: Analyzing Power and Prestige provides the first general synthesis of this recent and diverse body of research...a good general introduction to the history, theory and application of gender-oriented research...a strength of the book is the focus on pre-historic archaeology and the particluar methodological and theoretical problems of grappling with gender in the archaeological record...the book is a valuable contribution to those who are unfamiliar with [the] literature and want a general overview of the issues...informative and highly readable.

The Midden - Diane Lyons

One must applaud her efforts to redress wrongs in our own time, and to rebuild the past by peopling it with women as well as with men.

Journal of Field Archaeology

In her book Professor Sarah Milledge Nelson presents recent interpretations and results of other researchers. They are followed by critical reflections and discussions, and the comments are often sharp and cutting. Various aspects on how power and prestige affect gender relations, in the past and present, are explored, and Nelson's critical feminist perspective sets the character through the entire book. Her text, however, not only deconstructive; she offers alternative ways to find new data and interpret old data and the examples highlighted come from both the archaeological and anthropological disciplines.

European Journal of Archaeology - Linda Lökvist

This excellent book provides an overview of the development and current state of feminist prehistoric archaeology… has an immense scope and will probably become a classic in the field.

Historical Archaeology

Nelson... provid[es] a good survey of work on gender, power, and prestige by archaeologist. The strongest contribution of her book is its citing of this work in general issues in anthropology and scientific method: readers would develop a keen appreciation of how validity is constructed—or wanting—in data interpretation. The usefulness of Nelson's lively book extends far beyond efforts to evaluate women's roles through material remains of past societies. Every feminist will find that it strengthens her standpoint.

Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society - Alice Beck Kehoe

I recommend this book to any archaeologist, amateur or professional, and to anyone who is interested in the stories that archaeologists have to tell. At the very least it will challenge some old assumptions, and it may generate much new and productive research in the future.

Mississippi Archaeology - Ann M. Early

A comprehensive analysis of research on gender in early societies written from the perspective of a distinguished anthropological archeologist.. .. A must for scholars and students (graduate and undergraduate) interested in how the richly textured analysis of gender is revolutionizing our concepts of the past.

Choice

One must applaud her efforts to redress wrongs in our own time, and to rebuild the past by peopling it with women as well as with men.--Journal of Field Archaeology

From the Publisher

One must applaud her efforts to redress wrongs in our own time, and to rebuild the past by peopling it with women as well as with men.

Journal Of Field Archaeology

Nelson... provid[es] a good survey of work on gender, power, and prestige by archaeologist. The strongest contribution of her book is its citing of this work in general issues in anthropology and scientific method: readers would develop a keen appreciation of how validity is constructed—or wanting—in data interpretation. The usefulness of Nelson's lively book extends far beyond efforts to evaluate women's roles through material remains of past societies. Every feminist will find that it strengthens her standpoint.
— Alice Beck Kehoe, (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee)

Signs: Journal of Women In Culture & Society

I recommend this book to any archaeologist, amateur or professional, and to anyone who is interested in the stories that archaeologists have to tell. At the very least it will challenge some old assumptions, and it may generate much new and productive research in the future.
— Ann M. Early

Mississippi Archaeology

In her book Professor Sarah Milledge Nelson presents recent interpretations and results of other researchers. They are followed by critical reflections and discussions, and the comments are often sharp and cutting. Various aspects on how power and prestige affect gender relations, in the past and present, are explored, and Nelson's critical feminist perspective sets the character through the entire book. Her text, however, not only deconstructive; she offers alternative ways to find new data and interpret old data and the examples highlighted come from both the archaeological and anthropological disciplines.
— Linda Lökvist, (Department of Archaeology, University of Göteborg, Sweden)

European Journal Of Archaeology

Nelson... provid[es] a good survey of work on gender, power, and prestige by archaeologist. The strongest contribution of her book is its citing of this work in general issues in anthropology and scientific method: readers would develop a keen appreciation of how validity is constructed—or wanting—in data interpretation. The usefulness of Nelson's lively book extends far beyond efforts to evaluate women's roles through material remains of past societies. Every feminist will find that it strengthens her standpoint.
— Alice Beck Kehoe, (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee)

Signs: Journal Of Women In Culture & Society

This volume is more than just a helpful review of the classic and current literature on gender issues in archaeology.…Nelson makes the link—between gender roles involved in the development and practice of archaeology and those gendered assumptions that underlie archaeological models of past society—the integrating theme of this volume.

Journal Of Anthropological Research