(Re)creations : telling about Iron Age Dan and the Hula Valley
This dissertation suggests alternative ways of thinking about the scales of interpretation in Syro-Palestinian archaeology. It does this by outlining a number of ideas prevalent in what has been called post-processual or interpretive archaeology and looking at ways they could be employed in the Iron Age Hula Valley region. Chief among these are considerations of landscape, ethnography, phenomenology, post-colonialism and narrative. The central site examined is that of Tel Dan and, importantly, an overview of the valley itself and its outstanding features - the lake and swamp - are also considered. The purpose of this thesis is to show that it is possible to write small-scale, even personal narratives, about the way people may have lived at a particular place and time without recourse to the biblical texts. I suggest that the use of such narratives can be used to produce alternative accounts of the past and thus subvert the grand-narratives of the region. The method outlined is as opposed to the large-scale Annalistic approaches which currently predominate. To this end a number of sample story-narratives are included which hope to show that this form of writing can be utilised to revivify the personal archaeologies
Smith, Timothy
(Re)creations : telling about Iron Age Dan and the Hula Valley. This dissertation suggests alternative ways of thinking about the scales of interpretation in Syro-Palestinian archaeology. It does this by outlining a number of ideas prevalent in what has been called post-processual or interpretive archaeology and looking at ways they could be employed in the Iron Age Hula Valley region. Chief among these are considerations of landscape, ethnography, phenomenology, post-colonialism and narrative. The central site examined is that of Tel Dan and, importantly, an overview of the valley itself and its outstanding features - the lake and swamp - are also considered. The purpose of this thesis is to show that it is possible to write small-scale, even personal narratives, about the way people may have lived at a particular place and time without recourse to the biblical texts. I suggest that the use of such narratives can be used to produce alternative accounts of the past and thus subvert the grand-narratives of the region. The method outlined is as opposed to the large-scale Annalistic approaches which currently predominate. To this end a number of sample story-narratives are included which hope to show that this form of writing can be utilised to revivify the personal archaeologies
creation tell iron_age valley suggest_alternative way_think scale interpretation palestinian archaeology outline number idea prevalent call post_processual interpretive archaeology look_way could employ iron_age valley region chief among consideration landscape ethnography phenomenology post colonialism narrative central site examine importantly overview valley outstanding feature lake also_consider purpose show possible write small_scale even personal narrative way_people may live particular place time without recourse biblical_text suggest use narrative use produce alternative_account past thus subvert grand narratives region method outline opposed large_scale annalistic approach currently predominate end number sample story narratives include hope_show form write utilised personal archaeology