Continuity and change : identity in LM IIIC to Hellenistic East Crete
Archaeology is in the privileged position of being able to examine identities through the long time periods often called upon by advocates of essentialist identities, such as those working in the modern political sphere, using theory, methodology and evidence developed by scholars. The influence of the contemporary context within which archaeology is practised is clear in the types of identities, particularly ethnic and cultural identities, which have dominated research on this topic, including on Crete where much attention has focused on identities such as the 'Eteocretans'. I suggest that the archaeological and textual evidence from Crete offers considerable scope for exploring other types of group identity, both in themselves and in intersection with each other, and the ways in which these may have changed and/or continued to be salient through long periods of time. The theoretical and methodological basis of my study posits that one significant way in which group identities are negotiated and communicated is through social practices, and it is therefore possible to access at least some of the group identities that were salient in the past by examining the material and textual residues of past social practices.
Maarschalk, Rebekah L.
Continuity and change : identity in LM IIIC to Hellenistic East Crete. Archaeology is in the privileged position of being able to examine identities through the long time periods often called upon by advocates of essentialist identities, such as those working in the modern political sphere, using theory, methodology and evidence developed by scholars. The influence of the contemporary context within which archaeology is practised is clear in the types of identities, particularly ethnic and cultural identities, which have dominated research on this topic, including on Crete where much attention has focused on identities such as the 'Eteocretans'. I suggest that the archaeological and textual evidence from Crete offers considerable scope for exploring other types of group identity, both in themselves and in intersection with each other, and the ways in which these may have changed and/or continued to be salient through long periods of time. The theoretical and methodological basis of my study posits that one significant way in which group identities are negotiated and communicated is through social practices, and it is therefore possible to access at least some of the group identities that were salient in the past by examining the material and textual residues of past social practices.
continuity_change identity iiic hellenistic east crete archaeology privilege position able examine identity long_time period often call_upon advocate essentialist identity work modern political_sphere use theory evidence develop scholar influence contemporary context_within archaeology practise clear type identity particularly ethnic_cultural identity dominate topic_include crete much_attention focus identity suggest archaeological_textual evidence crete offer considerable scope explore type group_identity intersection way may change and continue salient long_period time theoretical_methodological basis study posit significant way group_identity negotiate social_practice therefore possible access least group_identity salient past examine material textual residue past social_practice