Ungendering Civilization
Published on 24. February 2004
256 pages
978-1-134-50915-7 (ISBN)
Description
With nine papers examining a distinct body of archaeological data, Ungendering Civilization offers a much needed scrutiny of the role of women in the evolution of states.
Studying societies including Predynastic Egypt, Minoan Crete, ancient Zimbabwe and the Maya - to determine what the facts actually show, the contributors critically address traditional views of male and female roles, and argue for the possibility that the root historical cause of gender subordination is participation in modern world system, rather than 'innate' tendencies to domesticity and child-rearing in women, and leadership and aggression in men.
With an interdisciplinary potential, students of archaeology, cultural studies and gender studies will find this full of useful information.
Studying societies including Predynastic Egypt, Minoan Crete, ancient Zimbabwe and the Maya - to determine what the facts actually show, the contributors critically address traditional views of male and female roles, and argue for the possibility that the root historical cause of gender subordination is participation in modern world system, rather than 'innate' tendencies to domesticity and child-rearing in women, and leadership and aggression in men.
With an interdisciplinary potential, students of archaeology, cultural studies and gender studies will find this full of useful information.
Reviews / Votes
"Contemporary archaeologists should use this excellent volume as an example of the direction archaeology should go to maintain its relevancy to existing societies." - Joe Watkins, University of New Mexico, Journal of Anthropological ResearchMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
File size
2,28 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-134-50915-7 (9781134509157)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
K. Anne Pyburn is Associate Professor of Anthropology at Indiana University. She is the director of the Chau Hiix Project, which investigates the political economy of an ancient Maya community, and the MATRIX Project.
Content
Introduction: Rethinking complex society 1 Gendered states: Gender and agency in economic models of Great Zimbabwe 2 The use and abuse of ethnographic analogies in interpretations of gender systems at Cahokia 3 The "marauding pagan warrior" woman 4 Tracing women in early Sumer 5 Leaders, healers, laborers, and lovers: Reinterpreting women's roles in Moche society 6 The benefits of an archaeology of gender for predynastic Egypt 7 All the Harappan men are naked, but the women are wearing jewelry 8 Oh my goddess: A meditation on Minoan civilization 9 Ungendering the Maya
