Written by a distinguished group of feminist archaeologists, In Pursuit of Gender examines the role of gender in archaeology, an area that has long been neglected. The chapters in this volume represent sites and cultures that have been interpreted or reinterpreted from the perspective of gender, exploding old assumptions about women and the roles they held. Greatly illuminating the subject of gender from the perspective of their own regional traditions, the authors take the reader through an authoritative and comprehensive discussion of gender archaeology in Asia, Africa, North and South America. Societies represented include hunter-gatherers, early horticulturalists, incipient and well-developed states, historic communities, as well as ethnoarchaeological explorations. The chapters are characterised by a greater specificity in methods, and the emergence of a social archaeology that considers the agency of both men and women. In Pursuit of Gender advances the study of gender in archaeology with detailed data, a world-wide scope and carefully reasoned conclusions that move into new territory, paving the way towards further research in gender-based theory.

About the Author
Sarah Milledge Nelson is John Evans Professor of Archaeology at the University of Denver, where she is faculty in the Anthropology Department and Director of Asian Studies. Some recent books include The Archaeology of Korea (1993), The Archaeology of Northeast China (ed.)(1995), and Gender in Archaeology (1997) which won the Choice Outstanding Academic Book Award. Myriam Rosen-Ayalon is Mayer Professor of Islamic Art and Archaeology at Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

Reviews
In Pursuit of Gender attempts to recreate the dialogue between theory and methodology and shows how differing theoretical perspectives and methodologies can be utilized in the search for gender in the archaeological past.... the text offered me new ways to consider the study of gender and archaeology. The articles in this volume help show how women may differ within a single culture by age, class, marital status, presence or absence of children, and the kinds of work they do. With its emphasis on worldwide perspectives and gendered interpretations, this text would be great for introductory courses as well as graduate courses in archaeological theory, methodology and, of course, gender. -- Jodi Barnes, Women's Studies, University of South Carolina-Columbia * H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online, July 2002 *
This edited volume succeeds in bringing together rigorous archaeological studies from around the world, with a variety of methods and theoretical approaches represented. It is highly suitable as a textbook for archaeological method and theory as well as gender in archaeology courses. I also recommend it as a valuable resource for those interested in current approaches in the study of gender in archaeology, especially archaeologists who do not specialize in gender. -- David T. Palmer * Historical Archaeology *
An impressive compendium of contributions by distinguished and notable feminist archaeologists... In Pursuit of Gender offers an authoritative, comprehensive, scholarly discussion of gender archaeology in Asia and Africa, as well as in North and South America.... A highly recommended and welcome addition to reading lists and reference collections in the academic fields of Archaeology; Women's Studies; and the History of Science. * Midwest Book Review *



Book Information
ISBN 9780759100879
Author Sarah Milledge Nelson
Format Paperback
Page Count 448
Imprint AltaMira Press,U.S.
Publisher AltaMira Press,U.S.
Weight(grams) 689g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 149mm * 28mm