Archaeology and Gender: What does it mean?

Moreover, the majority of scholars project, consciously or unconsciously, the gender roles and stereotypes from today onto the past. Women and women’s topics are studied rarely or interpreted only in relation to a “male” backdrop. This is dramatically demonstrated in archaeological illustrations and exhibitions.

Feminist archaeology responds to these tendencies with the demand: to first become conscious of one’s own role & gender biases, and then to avoid them as far as possible.

Feminist Archaeology means:

• To examine gender roles and open a new dimension of discussion in our field of archaeology and towards the public’s perception of prehistoric culture.

• To portray women and men of past societies both as individuals and within their respective groups.

• To revaluate traditionally held methods and concepts within archeaology and related fields; with the aim to redefine modern scholarship.