Power and identity in archaeological theory and practice : case studies from ancient Mesoamerica / edited by Eleanor Harrison-Buck.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Harrison-Buck, Eleanor.

George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.

Series:

Foundations of archaeological inquiry

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Indians of Mexico--History--Case studies.

Indians of Mexico.

Indians of Mexico--Politics and government--Case studies.

Indians of Mexico--Antiquities--Case studies.

Power (Social sciences)--Mexico--History--Case studies.

Power (Social sciences).

Group identity--Mexico--History--Case studies.

Group identity.

Social archaeology--Mexico--Case studies.

Social archaeology.

History.

Indians of Mexico--Antiquities.

Indians of Mexico--Politics and government.

Mexico.

Genre:

Case studies.

Physical Description:

xii, 162 pages : illustrations, maps ; 26 cm.

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City : University of Utah Press, [2012]

Summary:

The contributions to this volume represent a diverse array of Mesoamerican archaeological studies that are all theoretically rooted to larger global debates concerning issues of power and identity-two logically paired concepts. While social identity has been the focus of more critical analysis in recent years, the concept of power has received far less attention. Most studies focus on large-scale, institutional forms of power and the ruling body. Here, the focus is on relations of power-addressing broader segments of society outside the dominant group-that often are ignored in traditional reconstructions of past societies.

Harrison-Buck has compiled works that address a common criticism of social theory in the field of anthropological archaeology: the lack of strong case studies and corroborating facts supporting the abstract and often complex social theoretical concepts presented by scholars. Each contributor offers innovation methods and theories and provides alternative and varied approaches to understanding power and identity in the archaeological record. They draw from a wide range of related disciplines and theoretical frameworks, including feminism, queer theory, cognitive studies, and postcolonial theory. The provocative case studies and exciting theoretical applications presented here will stimulate lively debate among scholars working both in and outside of Mesoamerica. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Current Theory and Practice in the Archaeology of Power and Identity: An Introduction / Eleanor Harrison-Buck Harrison-Buck, Eleanor 1

2 Dance, Power, and Ideology in Ancient Maya and Aztec Society / Matthew G. Looper Looper, Matthew G. 8

3 Changing Social Practices as Seen from Household Iconic Traditions: A Case Study from Formative Central Tlaxcala / Richard G. Lesure Lesure, Richard G., Jennifer Carballo Carballo, Jennifer, David M. Carballo Carballo, David M. 21

4 Memory and Power at Joya, Yucatán / Scott R. Hutson Hutson, Scott R., Aline Magnoni Magnoni, Aline, Travis W. Stanton Stanton, Travis W., Donald A. Slater Slater, Donald A., Scott Johnson Johnson, Scott 39

5 The Phalli Stones of the Classic Maya Northern Lowlands: Masculine Anxiety and Regional Identity / Traci Ardren Ardren, Traci 53

6 Public Performance and Teotihuacán Identity at Los Horcones, Chiapas, Mexico / Claudia García-Des Lauriers Lauriers, Claudia García-Des 63

7 Objects as Persons: Integrating Maya Beliefs and Anthropological Theory / Julia A. Hendon Hendon, Julia A. 82

8 The Encompassment of Subordinate Lords in the Tarascan Kingdom: Materiality, Identity, and Power / David L. Haskell Haskell, David L. 90

9 Rituals of Death and Disempowerment among the Maya / Eleanor Harrison-Buck Harrison-Buck, Eleanor 103

10 Conjuring Meaning from Archaeological Remains / Patricia A. McAnany McAnany, Patricia A. 116

11 Change, Scale, and Goals in the Study of Power and Identity in Mesoamerica / Barbara L. Stark Stark, Barbara L. 120.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.

ISBN:

160781174X

9781607811749

OCLC:

769323247

Publisher Number:

99948910637