Studies of Gender in the Prehispanic Americas

Abstract

In the past ten years archaeologists have produced a vast literature on the study of gender in the prehispanic New World. This review defines key concepts, identifies three major themes within this tradition-gender in native cosmologies, intersections of gender and the body, and studies of work and specialization-and explores the significant contributions of engendered archaeology to the broader field. Final suggestions for linkages with queer studies and indigenous feminism point the way to where this field might develop productive new avenues of research.

Odontometric determination of sex at Mound 72, Cahokia

“…Gender, a sociocultural construct not necessarily defined by biological sex, is not directly observable in the skeleton (see Walker and Cook, 1998). The malleability of gender in indigenous groups in the Americas has been noted in several regions (Klein, 2001;Ardren, 2008). Thus, while there may be some variation in the biological sex of individuals in the four burial features investigated in this study, gender cannot be directly evaluated in the present context.…”

“…This requires that some aspects of previous interpretations surrounding Mound 72 be reevaluated. The malleability of gender in indigenous groups in the Americas has been noted in several regions (Klein, 2001;Ardren, 2008). Some particular aspects of the hypotheses could account for this finding.…”

How to Queer the Past Without Sex: Queer Theory, Feminisms and the Archaeology of Identity

“…While it can and should challenge heteronormative assumptions, queer theory has the potential to illuminate many processes in the past, not just those related to sexuality. As a tool for deconstructing the normative, it provides a framework for archaeologists to examine identity and the processes and behaviors that inform it (Ardren 2008; Voss 2008;Wylie 2004). While fluidity and plurality are easily conceived in a modern context, most examinations of prehistoric identity formation focus on one aspect of identity to the near exclusion of others.…”

“…In terms of feminist archaeology, queer theory has gained momentum over the last 10 years (Alberti 2001;Ardren 2008;Casella 2000;Croucher 2005;Dowson 2000Dowson , 2007Hays-Gilpin 2004;Hollimon 1997;Schmidt 2002;Schmidt and Voss 2000;Voss 2005Voss , 2008. While a common tool in theorizing ''the feminist archaeological project'' (Voss 2000, eg.…”

“…Rather, queer theory's impact is in its potential to disrupt ALL normative archaeological practice, not just those related to sex, sexuality, and gender (Croucher 2005:611). As a postmodern critique of fixity and the normalization of categories, it provides a substantive framework for analyzing difference, How to Queer the Past Without Sex regardless of time period, culture area, or material assemblage (Weedon 1999; see also Ardren 2008;Wylie 2004).…”