Gender and Archaeology: Contesting the Past

Front Cover
Routledge, 1999 - 190 pages
The study of gender in past societies has emerged over the last two decades and has illuminated the work of archaeologists. Gender and Archaeology is the first volume to critically review the development of this now key topic internationally, across a range of periods and material culture. Roberta Gilchrist explores the significance of the feminist epistemologies. She shows the unique perspective that gender archaeology can bring to bear on issues such as division of labour and the life course. She examines issues of sexuality, and the embodiment of sexual identity. A substantial case study of gender space and metaphor in the medieval English castle is used to draw together and illustrate these issues. Gender and Archaeology is a comprehensive, accessible, and critical survey of this key area. Through its lucid discussion of masculinity, sexuality, multiple genders, queer theory and the lifecycle, it will further debate, whilst also becoming the standard introduction to gender archaeology.

About the author (1999)

Roberta Gilchrist is Professor of Archaeology at the University of Reading, and Archaeologist to Norwich Cathedral.

Bibliographic information