Shamans, Queens, and Figurines

Sarah Nelson, recognized as one of the key figures in studying gender in the ancient world and women in archaeology, brings together much of the work she has done over three decades into a single volume. The book covers her theoretical contributions, her extensive studies of gender in the archaeology of East Asia, and her literary work on the subject. Included with the selections of her writing-- taken from diverse articles and books published in a variety of places-- is an illuminating commentary about the development of her professional and personal understanding of how gender plays out in ancient societies and modern universities and her current thinking on both topics.

Sarah Milledge Nelson is John Evans Professor of Archaeology at the University of Denver. She is a specialist in cultural development, the origins of agriculture and archaeology of East Asia. She has been one of the leaders of bringing gender research into the field of archaeology. Her books include The Archaeology of Korea (1993), The Archaeology of Northeast China (1995), Handbook of Gender and Archaeology (2005), and two editions of the textbook Gender in Archaeology (1997/2004) which won a Choice Outstanding Academic Book Award. She is also author of three novels set in ancient East Asia.

Preface Part I: Introduction: Explorations of Gender in Archaeology Part II: Subsistence, Settlement, and Ethnicity: Forerunners of Gender in Archaeology Wild Plants near the Han River Pot Size and Food Storage Politics of Ethnicity in Prehistoric Korea Social Dimensions of Burials Archaeology in the Two Koreas Part III. New Approaches to Gender Archaeology Gender in Archaeology: An Introduction Diversity of Upper Paleolithic Venus Figurines and Archaeological Mythology Equity Issues in Archaeology Women Archaeologists in Asia and the Pacific Part IV. Gender and Complexity The Development of Complexity in Prehistoric North China The Organization of Complexity Beyond the Great Wall Archaeology of Northeast China The Goddess Temple and the Status of Women in Niuheliang Ideology and the Formation of an Early State in Northeast China Part V. Leadership and Gender Gender Hierarchy and the Queens of Silla The Statuses of Women in Ko-Silla Origins, Characteristics, and Significance of Silla Gold Crowns Horses and Gender in Korea Part VI. Gender, Ideology, and Religion Ritualized Pigs and the Origins of Complex Society Performing Power in Early China Roots of Animism in Korea Bound Hair and Confucianism in Korea Part VII. Exploring Gender and Archaeology Through Fiction RKLOG: Archaeologists as Fiction Writers Spirit Bird Journey Jade Dragon The Jade Phoenix