The problem of correlation of the status and identity of materiality in the context of the interpretation of archaeological finds: the case of dynastic Egypt Cover Image

Problem korelacije statusnog identiteta i materijalnosti u kontekstu interpretacije arheoloških nalaza: primer dinastičkog Egipta
The problem of correlation of the status and identity of materiality in the context of the interpretation of archaeological finds: the case of dynastic Egypt

Author(s): Tamara Babić (Micković)
Subject(s): History, Social Sciences, Fine Arts / Performing Arts
Published by: Centar za alternativno društveno i kulturno delovanje
Keywords: status identities; class; archaeological remains; interpretation; dynastic Egypt

Summary/Abstract: Among the most exploited terms in the archaeological discipline are the status or class as they are connected with one of the first steps in the diagnosis of descriptive characteristics of skeletal remains and/ or artifacts found at archaeological sites. In recent decades there is noticeable tendency of theorists to grasp the essence and context of the discovery and to go beyond simply labeling clearly bounded categories. Our task as archaeologists is to connect the clips of the continuum to reconstruct the habitus of past societies. For a suitable illustration of the basic principles of observation of class and status in this paper we have taken dynastic Egypt to underline the importance of a number of different sources of our reading of a process of the past (funerals, settlements, texts, visual and other findings). Social status is difficult and not very meaningful regarded as a separate category because it affects all the other characteristics of the identity of the individual and the whole context of society. The same is true for archaeologists whose identities contaminate samples of past social trends. The essential importance of archeology in today’s society is in an attempt to interpret past of past societies and to present their their findings to the rest of society, and its success in that endeavor is conducted by modern class divisions, status and interests.

  • Issue Year: 1/2015
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 67-79
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Serbian