Oddest thing(s) overheard in a small group of archaeologists

[archaeomom8]

"There's absolutely nothing in the Mojave, why they want to keep sending people up there is beyond me

Comments

[quadrapop]

OK non-archeo here: what do you mean by Archeology of gender?

Is it perhaps some level of genderisation of archeological finds by the finder? And how this is coloured by their own gender?

Just guessing...

[archaeomom8]

Sure, it's all that and more. It begins with the little fact that at least 1/2 of people in the past were ignored in most facets of interpretation. If we consider that there are more than the usually-considered 2 genders, we've left even more people out of our interpretations. It's not the be-all and end-all of archaeology for me - but it's important. Not considering gender has probably caused us to draw mistaken conclusions about...well...almost everything. Then, too, so has ignoring lifeways among just plain folks in favor of focusing on digging up and interpreting those of the privileged few.

[archaeomom8]

And, hey, thanks for caring to ask! That's cool that you're interested. :)

How's it all going over there? Hope you and yours are all well.

[normaltrouble]

Gee, I wonder if the dude ever heard of Hateshpsut?
(soooory about the miserable spelling!)

[archaeomom8]

I would have to look up the spelling too! ;)

[boudiceaborn]

beh, and they didn't write out all the vowels, anyhow ;).

[boudiceaborn]

That's good, yeah, I like how the person so off-handedly rejected an entire desert's cultural resources.

I've read a few articles that are focused on issues of gender in archaeology, but don't know much about the leaders in the field or current paradigms. Do you know of good sources/intros to try out?

In college, I rebelled against the whole archaeology of gender thing (probably because the department head thought I was a lesbian, and pushed it on me too aggressively). Now, I'm finally able to be interested in it again!

[archaeomom8]

The poor Mojave. So underestimated, so understudied. ;)

Hey, I'd have rebelled too if someone tried to shove it at me. For years I thought I hated anthropology because of a really lame professor in my intro to cultural. I had a most amazing geology prof and that's the direction I went...for a long time. It didn't hurt me to do that in the end, but still.

For the archaeology of gender I like Alison Wylie. Do you have a copy of Engendering Archaeology: Women and Prehistory? That could get you started again. It's got a piece on women's place in horticulture co-authored by Patty Jo Watson

[boudiceaborn]

Alison Wylie was at Wash U when I first went there, but either she wasn't teaching much anthro at the time, or I missed the opportunity to have a class with her. That book sounds like a good overview, I'll check it out!
PJ Watson I did have one class with, and she was great, but it wasn't particularly gender-focused (ancient Mesopotamia, her PhD focus area that Hussein put out of reach for most of her career).

[archaeomom8]

Maybe Wylie isn't teaching as much anthro as philosophy of science now? Could be. I'm too lazy to do a web search right now...

Watson has not been strongly into the gender-archaeology thing. That's one reason I got a kick out of her article in that book. She likes the idea that women first domesticated plants in the Eastern Woodlands. ;)

Kidding, Right????

[morningloryblue]

Surely you are kidding in your recounting of the comment about a genderless anything?????

Re: Kidding, Right????

[archaeomom8]

Nah, the guy really said it. I wonder if he slept through the part of his intro class(es) where that was discussed. He seemed like a fellow with tunnel vision anyway.