Ungendering Civilization

By: K. Anne Pyburn (Editor)

Write A Review

Paperback | 29 January 2004 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Paperback
258 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
23.39 x 15.6 x 1.37

Paperback

RRP $112.00

$97.75

13%OFF

or 4 interest-free payments of $24.44 with

or

Ships in 3 to 5 business days

Ungendering Civilisation offers a much needed scrutiny of the role of women in the evolution of states. The contributors critically addresses traditional views of male and female roles; they argue for the possibility that the root cause of gender subordination in the modern world was the loss of kin-based power structures during early state formation, rather than 'innate' tendencies to domesticity and child-rearing in women, and leadership and aggression in men. Each of the nine papers examines a distinct body of archaeological data - from societies including Predynastic Egypt, Minoan Crete, ancient Zimbabwe and the Maya - to determine what the facts actually show. The volume also provides a useful insight into why many academics have continued to base their interpretations of early societies on apparently outdated theories. By analysing the intellectual history of categories such as race, gender, and chiefdom, the political usefulness that has maintained the popularity of such categories among western academics is exposed. This collection shows that cultural evolutionism is not benign; it sustains political views about gender, race, and political economy that are not supported by research. The example of gender demonstrates how archaeologists, many of whom would probably characterize themselves as feminists, inadvertently support a sexist view of the world by labelling poorly tested assumptions as science.

Industry Reviews

"Contemporary archaeologists should use this excellent volume as an example of the direction archaeology should go to maintain its relevancy to existing societies." - Joe Watkins, University of New Mexico, Journal of Anthropological Research

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.