Symbols in Action: Ethnoarchaeological Studies of Material CultureMaterial culture - the objects made by man - provides the primary data from which archaeologists have to infer the economies, technologies, social organization and ritual practices of extinct societies. The analysis and interpretation ofmaterial culture is therefore central to any concern with archaeological theory and methodology, and in order to understand better the relationship between material culture and human behaviour, archaeologists need to draw upon models derived from the study of ethnographic societies. First published in 1982, this book presents the results of a series of field investigations carried out in Kenya, Zambia and the Sudan into the 'archaeological' remains and material culture of contemporary small-scale societies, and demonstrates the way in which objects are used as symbols within social action and within particular world views and ideologies. |
Contents
the nature of material cultures 1289 | 1 |
Ethnicity and symbolism in Baringo | 13 |
Maintaining the boundaries | 37 |
Disrupting the boundaries | 58 |
age sex and selfdecoration | 75 |
Huntergatherers and pastoralists on the Leroghi plateau | 87 |
a study in the Nuba Mountains | 125 |
Implications for archaeology | 185 |
Conclusions and prospects | 212 |
| 230 | |
| 239 | |
Other editions - View all
Symbols in Action: Ethnoarchaeological Studies of Material Culture Ian Hodder No preview available - 1982 |
Common terms and phrases
adaptive amongst archaeological artifact aspects associated Baringo become behaviour bones borders boundaries burial calabashes cattle cemeteries central chapter clear competition compound concepts concern context death decoration demonstrate depends discussed distinct distributions Dorobo economic emphasis entrance evidence examined example exchange expressed figure frequently functional further grave greater groups hearth hill houses identified identities important indicate individuals interaction interpretation involved lake land less living localised Lozi male marked material culture Mbunda meaning Mesakin Moro move nature Njemps Nuba obtained occur older organisation particular patterning placed Pokot position pots pottery production recent reflects regional relations relationship result ritual Samburu scale seen separate settlement shown similar smith social society spatial spears stools strategies structure studies styles suggested symbols Table traits tribal tribes Tugen types variation village women young