Theme:
4. Persisting with Change: Theory and Archaeological Scrutiny
Session format:
Regular session
Title:
Women through the Ages: Roles, Rituals, and Research through the Lenses of Archaeological Sciences
Content:
The 1980s represented a turning point in the rediscovery of the woman figure in past societies and the deconstruction of stereotypes based on modern standards. In gender archaeology, this ongoing process of change is characterised by a constant debate, also due to the various roles played by women across time and space. Researchers continue to challenge traditional views and question preconceptions, aided by the introduction of new fields of research in both Archaeology and Anthropology.
This session focuses on a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to exploring women, from prehistory to protohistory, from history to the present day. We aim to highlight new research regarding: i) aspects of daily life, such as group organisation, ii) burial rituals dedicated to women, iii) the health condition that characterised their lives, specifically during critical moments like pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, iv) palaeopathologies, including traumas, v) evidence of exogamy, and vi) artistic production associated with women.
Of particular interest are cases involving the re-evaluation of burial contexts through the application of interdisciplinary approaches and new technologies (e.g. aDNA, proteomics).
We also invite works that question the presence of a gender-based division of labour, in any, using osteological and virtual imaging assessment. Studies on intra-life changes characterising women's lives, from puberty to menopause are also welcomed, as well as all the possible dietary, health and associated socio-cultural variations related to these events.
We encourage oral and poster presentations delving into the multi-faceted role of women in the past, discussing their life history while re-thinking past assumptions, through various approaches and methodologies. We welcome broad studies as well as works focusing on specific and local (pre-)historical contexts.
Lastly, we would also like to discuss the current roles of women in (bio)archaeological disciplines and the female researchers who are still leading feminist movements today.
Keywords:
Women, Gender Archaeology, Multidisciplinary approach, Bioarchaeology, Anthropology
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Session associated with CAA:
no
Session associated with DGUF:
no
Session associated with other:
Main organiser:
Carlotta Zeppilli (Italy) 1
Co-organisers:
Martina Farese (Italy) 2,3
Sara Bernardini (Italy) 4,5,3
Biancamaria Bonucci (Estonia) 6
Affiliations:
1. University of Cagliari (Italy)
2. Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome (Italy)
3. Mediterranean bioArchaeological Research Advances (MAReA) Centre (Italy)
4. University of Bologna (Italy)
5. LAMPEA, UMR 7269, Université d'Aix-Marseille (France)
6. Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu (Estonia)
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