The Archaeology of Childhood
Children, Gender, and Material Culture
Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Archaeology, History, Americas, United States, 19th Century
| Author: | Jane Eva Baxter, DePaul University | ISBN: | 9780759115033 |
| Publisher: | AltaMira Press | Publication: | January 18, 2005 |
| Imprint: | AltaMira Press | Language: | English |
| Author: | Jane Eva Baxter, DePaul University |
| ISBN: | 9780759115033 |
| Publisher: | AltaMira Press |
| Publication: | January 18, 2005 |
| Imprint: | AltaMira Press |
| Language: | English |
The study of children and childhood in historical and prehistoric life is an overlooked area of study that Jane Baxter addresses in this brief book. Her timely contribution stresses the importance of studying children as active participants in past cultures, instead of regarding them mainly for their effect on adult life. Using the critical concepts of gender and socialization, she develops new theoretical and methodological approaches for the archaeological study of this large but invisible population. Baxter presents examples from the analysis of toys, miniatures, and other objects traditionally associated with children, from the gendered distribution of activity space, from the remains of children-as-apprentices, and from mortuary evidence. Baxter's work will aid archaeologists bring a more nuanced understanding of children's role in the historical and archaeological record.
The study of children and childhood in historical and prehistoric life is an overlooked area of study that Jane Baxter addresses in this brief book. Her timely contribution stresses the importance of studying children as active participants in past cultures, instead of regarding them mainly for their effect on adult life. Using the critical concepts of gender and socialization, she develops new theoretical and methodological approaches for the archaeological study of this large but invisible population. Baxter presents examples from the analysis of toys, miniatures, and other objects traditionally associated with children, from the gendered distribution of activity space, from the remains of children-as-apprentices, and from mortuary evidence. Baxter's work will aid archaeologists bring a more nuanced understanding of children's role in the historical and archaeological record.
