An analysis of social and material patterns in the Danish Neolithic
The core of the thesis is the discussion of the background for and the processes in the social and cultural development in Denmark during the late Middle Neolithic (3000-2350 BC). This period covers the last phase of the Funnel Beaker Culture (MN A V) and the Single Grave and the Pitted Ware cultures (MN B). One of the key questions in the period is the interpretation of the transition from MN A to MN B. The project is based on a primary recording of burials from the period (megalithic tombs, stone packing graves, wooden chambers, stone cists and stone coffins). Part of the aim of this study is to give a uniform presentation of the data from throughout the period and from all of Denmark. The study is, however, first and foremost a reinterpretation of the data on the basis of a post-processual theoretical viewpoint. It focuses on the understanding and social use of material culture, taking its cues from hermeneutics and Giddens' structuration theory. In contrast to earlier studies which have dealt with only one of the Danish cultures or one region relations in time and space are emphasized. Only by going beyond the view that archaeological cultures and regions can be seen as isolated units attempts at an interpretation
Damm, C. B.
An analysis of social and material patterns in the Danish Neolithic. The core of the thesis is the discussion of the background for and the processes in the social and cultural development in Denmark during the late Middle Neolithic (3000-2350 BC). This period covers the last phase of the Funnel Beaker Culture (MN A V) and the Single Grave and the Pitted Ware cultures (MN B). One of the key questions in the period is the interpretation of the transition from MN A to MN B. The project is based on a primary recording of burials from the period (megalithic tombs, stone packing graves, wooden chambers, stone cists and stone coffins). Part of the aim of this study is to give a uniform presentation of the data from throughout the period and from all of Denmark. The study is, however, first and foremost a reinterpretation of the data on the basis of a post-processual theoretical viewpoint. It focuses on the understanding and social use of material culture, taking its cues from hermeneutics and Giddens' structuration theory. In contrast to earlier studies which have dealt with only one of the Danish cultures or one region relations in time and space are emphasized. Only by going beyond the view that archaeological cultures and regions can be seen as isolated units attempts at an interpretation
analysis social material pattern danish neolithic core discussion background process social_cultural development denmark late middle_neolithic period_cover last phase beaker culture single grave ware culture one_key question period interpretation transition project base primary record burial period megalithic tomb stone pack graf wooden chamber stone stone coffin part aim_study give uniform presentation data throughout_period denmark study however first_foremost reinterpretation data basis post_processual theoretical viewpoint focus social use material_culture take cue hermeneutics structuration theory contrast early study deal danish culture region relation time_space emphasize beyond view archaeological culture region see isolated unit attempt interpretation