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The geoarchaeology of houses: towards a social archaeology

Monday 30th June: 16:00 - 18:00
2 hour session: 10-15 minute papers each followed by discussion

Burcu Tung (University of California/Istanbul Technical University)
Melissa Goodman-Elgar (Washington State University)

Abstract

This session explores the contribution of geoarchaeological techniques in the study of houses and households in light of recent theoretical developments that emphasize the importance of a social archaeology. Social archaeology stresses the importance of social relations and lived experiences in understanding and interpreting the past. Those who advocate a social archaeology appreciate its broad orientation in the discipline rather than focusing on a single theoretical stance. Some aspects of social archaeology include, but are not restricted to, materiality, temporality and spatiality and their intersections in the constitution of social life.

This session calls for papers that engage with geoarchaeological methodologies to address issues related to social archaeology, such as the discursive relationship between objects and people, the creation of the built environment and the making of place, the concept of dwelling, sensuous experiences, lifecycles of houses (building, maintenance and abandonment) in relation to people, the everyday practice within houses and expressions of agency, and pathways of movement through/within houses and social networks.

Papers