New Perspectives on the Archaeology of Economics in China

Archaeological research in China has traditionally focused on long distance interactions between groups of cultures. An unfortunate result of this approach has been to stress the movement of goods over the sociopolitical implication of the interactions. This session aims to draw attention to the anthropological aspects of economy by focusing on processes of production, exchange, and consumption at a local scale. Contributors will examine the relationship of subsistence and utilitarian economies to local systems of social organization. A focus on small-scale communities rather than large culture areas has required researchers to pursue innovative methods and theories. This session will thus also explore the application and significance of this scholarship to the broader field of Chinese archaeology.