Sarah Milledge Nelson takes on the formidable task of attempting the first comprehensive feminist, theoretical synthesis of the flood of archaeological work on gender. She examines the roles of women and men in such areas as human origins, the sexual division of labor, kinship and other social formations, state development, and ideology. Nelson provides examples from gender-specific archaeological studies worldwide to examine such traditional myths as woman the gatherer, the goddess hypothesis, and the Amazon warriors, replacing them with a more nuanced, informed treatment of gender based on the latest research. She also examines the structure of the archaeological discipline in her attempt to understand and change a discipline that has made women all but invisible both as researchers and objects of research. Nelson's book is a benchmark work for all archaeologists working on or interested in gender and points the way toward fruitful avenues for further research.
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Nelson (archaeology, Univ. of Denver) presents a lucid, scholarly demonstration of the importance of an archaeological approach to the past that focuses on the evidence for the roles of women and men, freed from the androcentric assumptions that have shaped our thinking. She argues that "a gendered archaeology is an improved archaeology...and one that makes possible a less distorted view." She draws on case studies from diverse cultures in the prehistoric past as she explores issues and topics such as division of labor, women within social systems and in the public sphere, and women and ideology, including a fascinating review of the interpretations of so-called "mother goddess" figures from the Upper Paleolithic. Drawing on the work of many women engaged in gendered archaeology, Nelson does a great service to colleagues and readers by giving much needed attention to the work being done in this field. For anthropology, archaeology, and women's studies collections.?Joan W. Gartland, Detroit P.L.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
This excellent book provides an overview of the development and current state of feminist prehistoric archaeology… has an immense scope and will probably become a classic in the field. (Historical Archaeology )
Nelson presents a lucid, scholarly demonstration of the importance of an archeological approach to the past that focuses on the evidence for the roles of women and men, freed from the androcentric assumptions that have shaped our thinking. (Library Journal )
A comprehensive analysis of research on gender in early societies written from the perspective of a distinguished anthropological archeologist. . . . A must for scholars and students (graduate and undergraduate) interested in how the richly textured analysis of gender is revolutionizing our concepts of the past. (Choice )
In her book Professor Sarah Milledge Nelson presents recent interpretations and results of other researchers. They are followed by critical reflections and discussions, and the comments are often sharp and cutting. Various aspects on how power and prestige affect gender relations, in the past and present, are explored, and Nelson's critical feminist perspective sets the character through the entire book. Her text, however, not only deconstructive; she offers alternative ways to find new data and interpret old data and the examples highlighted come from both the archaeological and anthropological disciplines. (Linda Lökvist European Journal Of Archaeology 2(3) )
This volume is more than just a helpful review of the classic and current literature on gender issues in archaeology.…Nelson makes the link--between gender roles involved in the development and practice of archaeology and those gendered assumptions that underlie archaeological models of past society--the integrating theme of this volume. (Journal Of Anthropological Research )
I recommend this book to any archaeologist, amateur or professional, and to anyone who is interested in the stories that archaeologists have to tell. At the very least it will challenge some old assumptions, and it may generate much new and productive research in the future. (Ann M. Early Mississippi Archaeology )
In this volume, Sarah Nelson provides a synthesis that should receive attention as an introductory archaeology text, beyond its obvious use for gender studies and feminist research. (Kathleen M. Bolen )
Nelson... provid[es] a good survey of work on gender, power, and prestige by archaeologist. The strongest contribution of her book is its citing of this work in general issues in anthropology and scientific method: readers would develop a keen appreciation of how validity is constructed--or wanting--in data interpretation. The usefulness of Nelson's lively book extends far beyond efforts to evaluate women's roles through material remains of past societies. Every feminist will find that it strengthens her standpoint. (Alice Beck Kehoe Signs )
As a source book for both the history of thought in, and the current development of, archaeological feminist theory, this book is an invaluable resource. The bibliography alone is straggering...and will no doubt become an automatic "first stop" for students and other interested parties. The book should perhaps be recommended reading for any archaeologist in need of a reminder that there are always other ways of looking at things. Finally, and most importantly, it provides an unpleasant though necessary snap-shot of attitudes that we might have hoped would die out unassisted. (David Trevarthen Cosmos 14 (1998) )
Despite a rapidly growing literature, engendered archaeology remains a misunderstood and marginalized aspect of our discipline. Sarah Nelson's Gender in Archaeology: Analyzing Power and Prestige provides the first general synthesis of this recent and diverse body of research...a good general introduction to the history, theory and application of gender-oriented research...a strength of the book is the focus on pre-historic archaeology and the particluar methodological and theoretical problems of grappling with gender in the archaeological record...the book is a valuable contribution to those who are unfamiliar with [the] literature and want a general overview of the issues...informative and highly readable. (Lyons, Diane The Midden, Vol. 31, No.2, 1999 )
Nelson presents a lucid, scholarly demonstration of the importance of an archeological approach to the past that focuses on the evidence for the roles of women and men, freed from the androcentric assumptions that have shaped our thinking. (Library Journal )
A comprehensive analysis of research on gender in early societies written from the perspective of a distinguished anthropological archeologist. . . . A must for scholars and students (graduate and undergraduate) interested in how the richly textured analysis of gender is revolutionizing our concepts of the past. (Choice )
In her book Professor Sarah Milledge Nelson presents recent interpretations and results of other researchers. They are followed by critical reflections and discussions, and the comments are often sharp and cutting. Various aspects on how power and prestige affect gender relations, in the past and present, are explored, and Nelson's critical feminist perspective sets the character through the entire book. Her text, however, not only deconstructive; she offers alternative ways to find new data and interpret old data and the examples highlighted come from both the archaeological and anthropological disciplines. (Linda Lökvist European Journal Of Archaeology 2(3) )
This volume is more than just a helpful review of the classic and current literature on gender issues in archaeology.…Nelson makes the link--between gender roles involved in the development and practice of archaeology and those gendered assumptions that underlie archaeological models of past society--the integrating theme of this volume. (Journal Of Anthropological Research )
I recommend this book to any archaeologist, amateur or professional, and to anyone who is interested in the stories that archaeologists have to tell. At the very least it will challenge some old assumptions, and it may generate much new and productive research in the future. (Ann M. Early Mississippi Archaeology )
In this volume, Sarah Nelson provides a synthesis that should receive attention as an introductory archaeology text, beyond its obvious use for gender studies and feminist research. (Kathleen M. Bolen )
Nelson... provid[es] a good survey of work on gender, power, and prestige by archaeologist. The strongest contribution of her book is its citing of this work in general issues in anthropology and scientific method: readers would develop a keen appreciation of how validity is constructed--or wanting--in data interpretation. The usefulness of Nelson's lively book extends far beyond efforts to evaluate women's roles through material remains of past societies. Every feminist will find that it strengthens her standpoint. (Alice Beck Kehoe Signs )
As a source book for both the history of thought in, and the current development of, archaeological feminist theory, this book is an invaluable resource. The bibliography alone is straggering...and will no doubt become an automatic "first stop" for students and other interested parties. The book should perhaps be recommended reading for any archaeologist in need of a reminder that there are always other ways of looking at things. Finally, and most importantly, it provides an unpleasant though necessary snap-shot of attitudes that we might have hoped would die out unassisted. (David Trevarthen Cosmos 14 (1998) )
Despite a rapidly growing literature, engendered archaeology remains a misunderstood and marginalized aspect of our discipline. Sarah Nelson's Gender in Archaeology: Analyzing Power and Prestige provides the first general synthesis of this recent and diverse body of research...a good general introduction to the history, theory and application of gender-oriented research...a strength of the book is the focus on pre-historic archaeology and the particluar methodological and theoretical problems of grappling with gender in the archaeological record...the book is a valuable contribution to those who are unfamiliar with [the] literature and want a general overview of the issues...informative and highly readable. (Lyons, Diane The Midden, Vol. 31, No.2, 1999 )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good introduction to gender issues in archaeology,
This review is from: Gender in Archaeology: Analyzing Power and Prestige (Hardcover)
As a beginning (male) college archaeology student, I have not had much exposure to the issue of gender in archaeology yet. When I saw this book in the library, I figured I'd give it a shot over Christmas break. It was not a waste of time. This is a thoughtful and well-written book which points out many obvious (and some not-so-obvious) instances of androcentrism in both the study and practice of archaeology. There are a few places where it seemed that Nelson was about to fall into the trap of gynocentrism which she rightly denounces as being just as bad as androcentrism. However, she usually catches herself in time. I am very glad I decided to read this book, because it has given me a new perspective from which to evaluate the material I will read in the future.
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