Gender archaeology

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gender archaeology is a method of studying ancient societies by closely examining the roles played by men and women in the past as exhibited through the archaeological record.

Gender archaeology itself is based on the ideas that even though nearly all individuals are naturally born either male or female that there is nothing natural about gender. It is believed that gender is actually a social construct which varies between cultures and changes through time.

Gender archaeologists examine the relative positions in society of men and women through identifying and studying the differences in power and authority they held, as they are manifested in material remains. These differences can survive in the physical record although they are not always immediately apparent and are often open to interpretation. The relationship between the genders can also inform relationships between other social groups such as families, different classes, ages and religions.