Mediterranean Archaeology and Ethnicity

What is it about?

This study focuses on the concept of ethnicity, although the related concept of (social) identity frequently enters the discussion. First I define briefly the concept of ethnicity, and discuss its possible material reflections. I then consider how Mediterranean archaeologists have used and abused the concept of ethnicity. Both concepts are illustrated with a case study involving Cyprus and the southern Levant at the transition from the Late Bronze to the Early Iron Age. I conclude that the study of ethnicity continues to present several intractable problems for archaeologists, in particular for prehistorians.

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