Gender Archaeology

This major new textbook explores the relations between gender and
archaeology, providing an innovative and important account of how
material culture is used in the construction of gender. Throughout
this lively and accessible text, Sorensen engages with the question
of how gender is materially constituted, and examines the
intersection of social and material concerns from the Palaeolithic
Age to the present day.

Part One discusses a range of important general issues,
beginning with an overview of the recent role of gender and gender
relations in our appropriation of past societies. After introducing
the debate about feminist or gender archaeology, Sorensen examines
archaeology's concern with the sex/gender distinction, the nature
of negotiation, and feminist epistemological claims in relation to
archaeology. In Part Two, the author focuses on the materiality of
gender, exploring it through case studies ranging from prehistory
to contemporary society. Food, dress, space and contact are
examined in turn, to show how they express and negotiate gender
roles.

This illustrated textbook will be essential reading for students
and scholars in archaeology, anthropology, material culture studies
and women's studies.