Beyond Kinship Trees: Capturing the Social Tapestry in European Prehistory

Summary

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

While kinship studies based on ancient DNA (aDNA) data have been instrumental in reconstructing biological relationships in European prehistory, they often overlook the complex web of social interactions that shaped prehistoric communities. This interdisciplinary investigation delves into the rich tapestry of social dynamics that characterized European prehistoric societies. Drawing from archaeological, socio-cultural anthropological, and archaeogenetic data, the project aims at unveiling a multifaceted approach to deciphering social organization. It emphasizes the significance of non-kin relationships, such as alliances, friendships, and hierarchies, which have been underrepresented in previous studies. Following a mixed method approach, the project sheds light on the intricacies of interpersonal connections, economic exchanges, and ideological affiliations within and between communities. The project showcases the importance of moving beyond simplistic kinship tree models to unravel the intricate social fabric in current aDNA studies in European prehistory. By embracing a holistic perspective, by integrating qualitative ethnographic data and quantitative data, the project highlights the importance of understanding how these societies created and broke social relations beyond those created by blood.

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): 39916.0