FEMINIST ARCHAEOLOGY: RECONSIDERING GENDER ROLES IN HUMAN HISTORY

Abstract

The article examines the main positions of feminist archaeology as a direction of scientific research. For the first time, the ideas of feminist archaeology were formulated by M. Konki and D. Spector, they also formulated the goal – to identify and confirm the presence of women at archaeological sites. The ideas of feminist archaeology are covered in a large number of scientific works by Western researchers. They are mainly devoted to the analysis of the results of field archaeological research of different time sites in different regions of the planet. The article characterizes the main ideas of feminist archaeology, which opposes the traditional, androcentric vision of history. Supporters of feminist archaeology criticize traditional gender models – the active role of men and the passive role of women. Based on the work of Western European, American and Ukrainian researchers, the authors prove the possibility of recreating the real position of women, their role in the economy and society from the Stone Age to the Early Iron Age, through the analysis of archaeological finds. When studying archaeological sites, it is important to consider the spatial location and distribution of artifacts associated with women. This indicates their place in the residential building and outside it. Biometric studies are also important. We see that in assessing the female presence in history, generalizations and simplifications should be avoided. In conclusion, we note that feminism as a socio-political movement also had an impact on the scientific field, in particular on archaeology. First of all, women archaeologists had to prove the failure of the androcentric approach to the study and interpretation of the history of mankind, as well as to prove their professionalism and ability to conduct independent research. As a result, a significant amount of scientific material has been accumulated, which allows us to highlight the role of women in different historical periods as artisans, as hunters, as warriors. This area of research is only just beginning in Ukraine, but it has significant prospects for rethinking the already accumulated archaeological material.