Tradition, practice and creativity : an exploration of Middle and Late Bronze Age Belegis cremation urns
Understanding similarity and difference is perhaps a cornerstone of archaeological enquiry. What is it that makes two objects similar and what is it that makes them different? Furthermore, how do we distinguish and explain these similarities and differences? This thesis explores similarity and difference within Middle and Late Bronze Age BelegiĆĄ ceramic urns from the region of Vojvodina in Serbia. This material comprises a corpus of cremation vessels that are similar to each other, yet also display differences, most noticeably in decoration. It therefore presents itself as an ideal case study to explore similarity and difference. Traditional approaches to the BelegiĆĄ phenomenon have rested upon typological classification within a culture-historical paradigm, meaning that similarities and differences have been explained in terms of cultural ethnicity, both spatially and temporally. Yet these attempts to categorise BelegiĆĄ urns have fallen short of sufficiently dealing with and explaining the complexity of the material, leading to confusing and often contradictory typological narratives. In order to redress these issues and elucidate the underpinnings of similarity and difference, this thesis focuses on how
Coxon, Sarah
Tradition, practice and creativity : an exploration of Middle and Late Bronze Age Belegis cremation urns. Understanding similarity and difference is perhaps a cornerstone of archaeological enquiry. What is it that makes two objects similar and what is it that makes them different? Furthermore, how do we distinguish and explain these similarities and differences? This thesis explores similarity and difference within Middle and Late Bronze Age BelegiĆĄ ceramic urns from the region of Vojvodina in Serbia. This material comprises a corpus of cremation vessels that are similar to each other, yet also display differences, most noticeably in decoration. It therefore presents itself as an ideal case study to explore similarity and difference. Traditional approaches to the BelegiĆĄ phenomenon have rested upon typological classification within a culture-historical paradigm, meaning that similarities and differences have been explained in terms of cultural ethnicity, both spatially and temporally. Yet these attempts to categorise BelegiĆĄ urns have fallen short of sufficiently dealing with and explaining the complexity of the material, leading to confusing and often contradictory typological narratives. In order to redress these issues and elucidate the underpinnings of similarity and difference, this thesis focuses on how
tradition practice creativity exploration middle_late_bronze_age cremation urn similarity_difference perhaps cornerstone archaeological enquiry make object similar make_different furthermore distinguish explain similarity_difference explores similarity_difference within middle_late_bronze_age ceramic region serbia material comprises corpus cremation vessel similar yet_also display difference noticeably decoration therefore present ideal case_study explore_similarity difference traditional_approach phenomenon rest_upon typological_classification within culture historical paradigm mean similarity_difference explain_term cultural ethnicity spatially temporally yet attempt categorise fall_short sufficiently deal explain complexity material lead confuse often_contradictory typological narrative order redress issue elucidate underpinnings similarity_difference focus