Affirmation and Action

A Posthumanist Feminist Agenda for Archaeology

Bibliographic Data

ID6043801
AuthorsHannah Cobb (0000-0001-5980-6197), Rachel J Crellin (0000-0002-8297-1083)
Year2022
Volume32
Issue2
Pages265-279
Publication date2022-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCambridge Archaeological Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0959-7743 • E-ISSN: 1474-0540
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0959774321000573
OpenAlexW4212897133
LanguageEN
Citations received18
References cited61

This paper explores the potential of posthumanist feminism in archaeology. We find ourselves exhausted in the face of the continuing inequalities in our discipline and the volatile political times we live in, where discrimination and xenophobia, entangled with the patriarchy, create a toxic mix. In the face of this, we draw inspiration from ongoing activism within archaeology and the emergence of posthumanist feminism beyond archaeology. We consider the juxtaposition between activism in the discipline and the lack of engagement with the same issues in our theory. Posthumanist feminism is explored as a way to unite theory and activism. It connects to and builds on existing feminisms but is argued to differ in three ways: first, posthumanist feminism widens the scope of those for whom we should be working to achieve equality; second, it suggests radical shifts in our ontology are necessary to bring about equality; third, it develops an alternative approach to difference. We explore the potential for posthumanist feminism to reshape narratives about the past, the way we do archaeology, and archaeological activism. In each, the aim is to turn away from the majoritarian subject and to make space for multiple alternative voices to emerge and thrive in archaeology

Action (physics · Art · Epistemology · Face (sociological concept · Feminism · Literature · Narrative · Ontology · Patriarchy · Political science · Politics · Social science · Sociology · Geographies of human-animal interactions · Historical and Cultural Archaeology Studies · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics · Gender Studies · Law · Philosophy

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access