The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Cultural identity? The Middle Neolithic Pitted Ware complex in southern Scandinavia

På svenska

Author

Editor

  • Kristian Brink
  • Susan Hydén
  • Kristina Jennbert
  • Lars Larsson
  • Deborah Oalusson

Summary, in English

The aim of this short article is to question the archaeological classification of the Neolithic archaeological cultures, and to raise questions about how to understand the fragmentary material culture in terms of social agency and cultural expression. e settlement of Jonstorp in southern Sweden as a case of the south Scandinavian Pitted Ware complex presents theoretical and methodological implications for the study of economic systems in emerging complex societies. We have problems understanding the time in question. The problems might be in the archaeological material and our classifications, in our methods and our ability to understand the past. However, the narrative of the Neolithization and the introduction of animal breeding and cereal production in southern Scandinavia describe a chaotic period with the construction of monuments and enclosures, technological innovations and colonizing the landscape. Does the material culture at the Pitted Ware sites reflect encounters between regional cultural identities? Can we talk about clashing cultural identities in altered regional economic systems in Scania, southern Scandinavia and in the rest of Europe? My contribution to the debate involves anthropological theories of economic systems, sociological theories of cultural representation, conflict and identity, and above all a critical perspective on archaeological classification.

Department/s

Publishing year

2015

Language

English

Pages

66-74

Publication/Series

Neolithic Diversities : Perspectives from a conference in Lund, Sweden

Document type

Book chapter

Publisher

Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Lund University

Topic

  • History and Archaeology

Keywords

  • Pitted Ware culture
  • Middle Neolithic
  • Classification
  • Complex societies
  • identity
  • conflict

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0065-0994
  • ISBN: 978-91-89578-60-9