Ontology in Neolithic Britain and Ireland

Beyond Animism

Bibliographic Data

ID3134845
AuthorsChris Fowler (0000-0003-3794-9298, Newcastle University, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume12
Issue4
Pages249
Publication date2021-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel12040249
OpenAlexW3151935717
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited55

A combination of new animism and new materialism has influenced recent interpretations of the Neolithic archaeology of Britain and Ireland, including decorative and figurative productions often referred to as 'art'. This article queries the appeal to animism in some of this work and considers four alternative ways to react to the use of the term. First it considers contextualizing animism by discussing Descola's identification of four kinds of ontologies-animism, totemism, analogism and naturalism-outlining examples of practices and material culture involved in each. After examining the effect of applying these to the Neolithic archaeology of Britain and Ireland, it then considers identifying Neolithic practices which seem at odds with animism without boxing these as indicative of other categories of ontology. After noting the wide range of Indigenous ontologies such models attempt to characterize, the article advocates an emphasis on ontological difference and attends to ontological diversity within the Neolithic

Animism · Biology · Epistemology · Indigenous · Materialism · Ontology · Sociology · Anthropology · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies · Conservation Techniques and Studies · History · Philosophy · Ecology

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