Approaching Identity and Gender Roles through the Alimentation Sphere in the Iberian Culture (5th - 1st century BC)

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The alimentation sphere presents a relevant context for the examination of sociopolitical dynamics within heterarchical agricultural societies of the Iberian Culture. Historically, alimentation practices have been associated with tasks primarily undertaken by women. However, there is a need to examine whether the extent of the presence of women is related to the degree of control or influence exerted. To what extent did women's leadership in this domain hold political significance and structural value? The necessity of these practices in order to maintain a group is accepted and revalued in social terms but can we trace it in specific power spheres? In the absence of women’s involvement in decision-making with the alimentation operating chain, labor appropriation in terms of work and benefits was happening. The goal of this paper is to investigate these questions through the analysis of three well-established urban settlements located in Eastern Iberia (Alicante, Spain). This study interprets the culinary practices and food preparation methodologies over an expansive chronological spectrum (5th-1st century BC). This examination entails an analysis of culinary pottery and the associated work spaces with the intent of discerning implications on gender, identity, ideology, manifestations of power, and embodiment within these communities.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 39305.0