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Ethnoarchaeology in Indonesia Illuminating the Ancient Past at Çatalhöyük?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Ron L. Adams
Ron L. Adams*
Affiliation:
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 156 ([email protected])
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Abstract

In a recent volume of American Antiquity, Hodder and Cessford (2004) suggested that various aspects of the domestic architecture at Çatalhöyük reflect a concern for the construction of social memory and social regulations through daily, habituated practices. The authors note that domestic architecture provides a locus for the construction of social memory in ethnographically documented “house societies” (e.g., Carsten and Hugh-Jones 1995; Joyce and Gillespie 2000) and imply that a similar pattern was prevalent during the Neolithic at Çatalhöyük. While not disputing the general premises of this suggestion, I argue that ethnoarchaeological work in two house societies in Indonesia ( West Sumba and Tana Toraja) can provide further, more detailed insight and some alternate perspectives on the social system of Neolithic Çatalhöyük, particularly in relation to notions of “daily practice” and the critical role of feasting in these societies.

Résumé

Résumé

En un volumen reciente de American Antiquity, Hodder y Cessford (2004) sugirieron que varios aspectos de la arquitectura doméstica en Çatalhöyük reflejan un interés en la construcción de la memoria social y de las normas sociales mediante las prácticas cotidianas y habituales. Los autores observan que la arquitectura doméstica provee un espacio para la construcción de la memoria social dentro de las” sociedades de casa” que se han documentado etnográficamente (p.ej. Carsten y Hugh-Jones 1995; Joyce y Gillespie 2000*) y dan a entender que un modelo semejante prevalecía durante el Neolítico en Çatalhöyük. Aunque no discuto las premisas generales de esta sugerencia, sostengo que el trabajo etnoarqueológico dentro de dos sociedades de casa en Indonesia (West Sumba y Tana Toraja) pueden proveer un entendimiento más profundo y algunas perspectivas alternativas sobre el sistema social del Çatalhöyük neolítico, especialmente con relación a ideas de “lo cotidiano” y el papel crucial del banquete en estas sociedades.

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Comments
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 70 , Issue 1 , January 2005 , pp. 181 - 188
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 2005

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References

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