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2 Theory for a Bioarchaeology of Community: Potentials, Practices, and Pitfalls
Author(s) -
Kakaliouras Ann M.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
archeological papers of the american anthropological association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.783
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1551-8248
pISSN - 1551-823X
DOI - 10.1111/apaa.12085
Subject(s) - bioarchaeology , articulation (sociology) , meaning (existential) , sociology , anthropology , epistemology , political science , philosophy , law , politics
This chapter is an exploration of theory and practice that could be useful for the articulation of a “bioarchaeology of community.” “Community” is a more complex and vexing concept than meets the eye, and its meaning has changed significantly over the past few centuries. This chapter reviews the varied meanings of community in the recent past, evaluates archaeological understandings of community, and explores current uses of social theory in bioarchaeology. Lastly, I lay out a potential theoretical and ethical roadmap for bioarchaeologists who wish to investigate past communities.