The Archaeology of Equality and Inequality

Paynter, Robert

doi:10.1146/annurev.an.18.100189.002101

Cited by 188 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 102 publications

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“…There is no direct, inherent correlation between complexity as a conceptual tool and the material expression of formalized inequality, which goes against the tendency of previous neo-evolutionary studies to look for patterns in differences and similarities between societies and to regard variation in grave goods as reflecting the monopolization of power and resources in life (McGuire 1983;McGuire and Paynter 1991;Paynter 1989). The latter was used to extrapolate the presence of incipient, transient and semi-permanent hierarchies.…”

Section: Chapter 2: the Evolution Of Complexity Theory And Mortuary Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Reinterpreting chronology and society at the mortuary complex of Jebel Moya (Sudan)

Brass

2016

Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa

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Section: Chapter 2: the Evolution Of Complexity Theory And Mortuary Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Reinterpreting chronology and society at the mortuary complex of Jebel Moya (Sudan)

Brass

2016

Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa

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“…Contact with remote peoples can imbue local elite with whatever charisma is attached to distant realms (Helms, 1993); such contacts also provide material goods that can be used as gifts and patronage to attract and hold followers (Paynter, 1989). Long-distance movement of objects also entails costs that make their acquisition a marker of sumptuary distinction indirectly regulated by the cost of acquisition.…”

Section: Luxury Goodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Archaeological excavations at Bosutswe, Botswana: cultural chronology, paleo-ecology and economy

Denbow¹,

Smith²,

Ndobochani³

et al. 2008

Journal of Archaeological Science

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“…As mentioned earlier, the tendency toward structural-systemic approaches in the social sciences and humanities during the 1960s and 1970s resulted in the premise that trade is an important but subordinate part of the political economy (Hodder 1980;Paynter 1989). Apart from interregional interaction models, the search for systemic models to explain trade in the political economy led to the borrowing of extradisciplinary structural mechanisms-particularly Wallerstein's world systems theory.…”

Section: Archaeology Of Trade: Power and The Elitementioning

confidence: 99%

The Archaeology of Trading Systems, Part 1: Towards a New Trade Synthesis

2008

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After almost three centuries of investigations into the question of what it means to be human and the historical processes of becoming human, archaeologists have amassed a huge volume of data on prehistoric human interactions. One of the largest data sets available is on the global distribution and exchange of materials and commodities. What still remains insufficiently understood is the precise nature of these interactions and their role in shaping the diverse cultures that make up the human family as we know it. A plethora of theoretical models combined with a multitude of methodological approaches exist to explain one important aspect of human interaction-trade-and its role and place in shaping humanity. We argue that trade parallels political, religious, and social processes as one of the most significant factors to have affected our evolution. Here we review published literature on archaeological approaches to trade, including the primitivist-modernist and substantivist-formalist-Marxist debates. We also discuss economic, historical, and ethnographic research that directly addresses the role of traders and trade in both past and contemporary societies. In keeping with the complexities of interaction between trade and other aspects of human behavior, we suggest moving away from the either/or perspective or strong identification with any particular paradigm and suggest a return to the middle through a combinational approach to the study of trade in past societies.

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The Archaeology of Equality and Inequality

Cited by 188 publications

References 102 publications

Reinterpreting chronology and society at the mortuary complex of Jebel Moya (Sudan)

Reinterpreting chronology and society at the mortuary complex of Jebel Moya (Sudan)

Archaeological excavations at Bosutswe, Botswana: cultural chronology, paleo-ecology and economy

The Archaeology of Trading Systems, Part 1: Towards a New Trade Synthesis

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