Exploring Prehistoric Identity in Europe: Our Construct or Theirs? - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184217813X ISBN 13: 9781842178133

Publisher: Oxbow Books, 2014

Synopsis

Identity is relational and a construct, and is expressed in a myriad of ways. For example, material culture and its pluralist meanings have been readily manipulated by humans in a prehistoric context in order to construct personal and group identities. Artefacts were often from or reminiscent of far-flung places and were used to demonstrate membership of an (imagined) regional, or European community. Earthworks frequently archive maximum visual impact through elaborate ramparts and entrances with the minimum amount of effort, indicating that the construction of identities were as much in the eye of the perceivor, as of the perceived. Variations in domestic architectural style also demonstrate the malleability of identity, and the prolonged, intermittent use of particular places for specific functions indicates that the identity of place is just as important in our archaeological understanding as the identity of people. By using a wide range of case studies, both temporally and spatially, these thought processes may be explored further and diachronic and geographic patterns in expressions of identity investigated.

About this title

Review

the volume offers a number of stimulating and provocative articles.--David Clarke "British Archaeology Review, Issue 139 "

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxbow Books
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 184217813X
• ISBN 13: 9781842178133
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176
• Editor: Ginn Victoria, Enlander Rebecca, Crozier Rebecca