Session: #738

Regular session

The development of archeology in the more than twenty countries around the Mediterranean Sea has been distinct. However, all of them have a common factor: the role of women in it has been minimised or directly silenced. While not unique when compared to other regions in the world, the way women's contributions to the development of our study area have been perceived has been clouded by numerous assumptions. The aim of this session is to critically look at women’s involvement in archaeology in the Mediterranean countries from the 18th century until today. The session ambition is to challenge traditional narratives by reassessing women’s contributions to the discipline across a wide range of career opportunities. These include some key ones not usually included in traditional historical narratives of archaeology, such as the administration of archaeology in archaeological services, and the museums. Another topic to explore is intersectionality, examining how factors like gender, status, religion, or nationalism/imperialism may have influenced women archaeologists. The connection (or lack of) of these women with the women's movements is a further issue to consider. Moreover, papers looking at the possible interconnectedness between women of different countries are welcome. Papers can focus on a variety of different perspectives: biographies, periods, career paths, area of research. A reflection on the sources needed to bring women out of the history’s silence is highly opportune. These may include not only publications, but also documentation stored in archives, photographs, personal narratives and oral history.

History of Archaeology, Women archaeologist, Mediterranean Archaelogy, Methodology, Intersectionality, Biography

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Archaeology and Gender in Europe (AGE) Community

María José Berlanga (Spain) ¹

Margarita Díaz-Andreu (Spain) ^2,3
Bianca Ferrara (Italy) ⁴
Fedra Pizzato (Italy) ⁵