The performative construction of identity in the Shang and Zhou dynasties
Judith Butlerâs theory of performativity can be productively used to analyse how identity at burial would have been created, sustained and rendered coherent through extended periods of time. Moreover, Heideggerean phenomenology offers us insights into the mechanism underlying the process of performing an identity. Using mortuary data from Shang and Zhou burials, I offer (a) an analysis of how the identity of the deceased might have been (re)constructed and (re)produced through structured burial deposits as well as (b) a Heideggerean account of the heritage inherent in the sets of bronze objects interred in graves. These sets of bronze objects would have been used in a performance within the mortuary sphere as part of an elaborate but recognisable process of producing an identity for a tomb occupant. Furthermore, a gendered identity would have also been reified and materialised through burial assemblages. These post-processual analyses might be taken as examples that can be generalised to a method for further investigating other identities, and the processes underlying their production and reproduction, that Chinese archaeologists theorising burials and identity may use to advance the field.
Coomber, Neil
Archeology ; burials ; Bronze Age China ; performance ; identity ; gender ; Grave Goods
The performative construction of identity in the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Judith Butlerâs theory of performativity can be productively used to analyse how identity at burial would have been created, sustained and rendered coherent through extended periods of time. Moreover, Heideggerean phenomenology offers us insights into the mechanism underlying the process of performing an identity. Using mortuary data from Shang and Zhou burials, I offer (a) an analysis of how the identity of the deceased might have been (re)constructed and (re)produced through structured burial deposits as well as (b) a Heideggerean account of the heritage inherent in the sets of bronze objects interred in graves. These sets of bronze objects would have been used in a performance within the mortuary sphere as part of an elaborate but recognisable process of producing an identity for a tomb occupant. Furthermore, a gendered identity would have also been reified and materialised through burial assemblages. These post-processual analyses might be taken as examples that can be generalised to a method for further investigating other identities, and the processes underlying their production and reproduction, that Chinese archaeologists theorising burials and identity may use to advance the field.
performative construction_identity dynasty butler theory performativity use analyse identity burial would create sustain render coherent extend period_time moreover phenomenology offer insights mechanism_underlie process_perform identity using mortuary_data burial offer analysis identity decease might construct produce structured burial deposit well account heritage inherent set bronze object inter graf set bronze object would use performance within mortuary sphere part elaborate recognisable process produce identity tomb occupant furthermore gendered identity would also reify burial assemblage post_processual analysis might take_example generalise method_investigate identity process underlying production reproduction chinese archaeologist theorise burial identity may_use advance field