Introduction: Archaeological approaches to cultural identity
20 May 2003-pp 29-60
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the phenomenon of cultural difference raises profound problems for archaeology at all levels of both theory and practice, and outline some of these problem areas, and the individual chapters examine various aspects of them from a variety of different viewpoints.
Abstract: The essence of the argument in this book is that the phenomenon of cultural
difference raises profound problems for archaeology at all levels of both theory
and practice. This introduction outlines some of these problem areas, and the
individual chapters examine various aspects of them from a variety of different
viewpoints.
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TL;DR: This paper explored regionality in Roman Britain, using nail-cleaners, small objects associated with grooming and self-representation as a case-study, to explore the differences in material culture and social practice across the empire.
Abstract: The material culture of the Roman empire is characterized by a contrast between uniformity in certain artefacts and diversity in others, often expressed in the style of the artefacts or the context of their use. In the past, with ‘Romanization’ acting as the main theoretical framework, attention has focused on the observed similarities in Roman material culture. Much less work has been done on the ways in which material culture and social practice varied across the empire and on the possible reasons for this process. This paper sets out to explore regionality in Roman Britain, using nail-cleaners, small objects associated with grooming and self-representation as a case-study.
26 citations
TL;DR: A long-term research program at the Maya center of Chac (II) is providing extraordinary new information regarding architecture, mortuary populations, and foreign presence at the Puuc hills during the Early Classic period as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A long-term research program at the Maya center of Chac (II) is providing extraordinary new information regarding architecture, mortuary populations, and foreign presence at the Puuc hills during the Early Classic period ( a.d. 300‐ 600). The finding of numerous early substructures at monumental and residential contexts, unusual mortuary practices, and various artifacts showing central Mexican inspiration and/or origin has led to the serious realization that the center of Chac did not develop in cultural isolation. It is becoming increasingly evident that Teotihuacan played a significant role, either directly or via one of its surrogates, in the rise of urban centers in the Puuc region. This paper explores the evidence of foreign influences and contacts at Chac and discusses the larger implications for the early political economy of the Puuc hills region and the region’s relationship to greater Mesoamerica. 4 Ahau was the name of the katun when occurred the birth of the Pauahs, when the rulers descended. Thirteen katuns they reigned; thus they were named while they ruled. 4 Ahau was the name of the katun when they descended; the great descent and the little descent they were called.
23 citations
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: In this article, the excavation of a small site, consisting of a main building and othe structural remains, as well as terraces and caves, is described, with a review of Hasmonean policy in the late second century in the light of the excavations.
Abstract: Report on the excavation of a small site, consisting of a main building and othe structural remains, as well as terraces and caves. The site first settled in the Chalcolithic, with comparatively meagre finds dating from before the later Iron Age, the site's main period of occupation ocurring during the Hellenistic era. Reports discuss architecture and stratigraphy, ceramics, coins and other small finds, and floral and faunal remains. The volume concludes with a review of Hasmonean policy in the late second century in the light of the excavations.
22 citations
23 Sep 2007
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors search for the so explored enslaved African universe that served as manual work in the empire, and, more specifically, in the XIX century in Rio de Janeiro.
Abstract: This work searches for the so explored enslaved African universe that served as manual work in the empire, and, more specifically, in the XIX century in Rio de Janeiro. History has been showing, through oral and written sources, that there was undoubtedly some resistance to slavery. Our proposal is archeolo-gically try to identify strategies of that resistance, raising the importance of the study or the symbols created and dynamized by the slave contingent. Conside-ring that this contingent was formed by a great variety of different ethinic groups that were joined here, we tried to notice how ethic aspects were kept and the consequent restitution of the feeling of identify. In order to do that, we consider that archaelogical vestiges, directly related to the slaves, can give a new contri-bution. In this case, our analysis concentrated on ceramic pipes found at histori-cal archaeological sites of that period.
22 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the consequences of the archaeogenetic revolution to our understanding of mobility and social change during the Neolithic period in Europe (6500-2000 BC) are discussed and synthesized.
Abstract: This paper discusses and synthesizes the consequences of the archaeogenetic revolution to our understanding of mobility and social change during the Neolithic period in Europe (6500–2000 BC). In spite of major obstacles to a productive integration of archaeological and anthropological knowledge with ancient DNA data, larger changes in the European gene pool are detected and taken as indications for large-scale migrations during two major periods: the Early Neolithic expansion into Europe (6500–4000 BC) and the third millennium BC “steppe migration.” Rather than massive migration events, I argue that both major genetic turnovers are better understood in terms of small-scale mobility and human movement in systems of population circulation, social fission and fusion of communities, and translocal interaction, which together add up to a large-scale signal. At the same time, I argue that both upticks in mobility are initiated by the two most consequential social transformations that took place in Eurasia, namely the emergence of farming, animal husbandry, and sedentary village life during the Neolithic revolution and the emergence of systems of centralized political organization during the process of urbanization and early state formation in southwest Asia.
22 citations