Insights into Social Inequality: A Quantitative Study of Neolithic to Early Medieval Societies in Southwest Germany

Social inequality is a subject of contemporary concerns, and this book explores social inequalities in selected past burial grounds from Southwestern Germany. The examination encompasses variations in the distribution of grave goods, burial pit sizes, bio-anthropological and isotope data, and spatial analyses of burial grounds. The results reveal social inequalities among and within genders and age cohorts that are differently pronounced in the respective cemeteries, and the results of multi-proxy analyses lead to the interpretation that the sites differ concerning the respective degrees of inequality and power strategy modes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2021
Publisher: Sidestone Press

Social inequality is a pressing concern in contemporary society, with profound differences in life capabilities and access to resources observed between rich and poor countries, as well as between elites and other groups. This inequality extends to bio-anthropological and non-bio-anthropological causes, and has been present in past societies as well. Archaeologists have extensively examined and interpreted social inequalities in sources such as burial grounds, providing valuable insights into the past.

In this book, we adopt a novel multi-proxy approach to analyze social inequalities in selected past burial grounds from Southwestern Germany. These burial grounds span different periods, including the Early Neolithic, Late Neolithic, Early Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, and Early Medieval period. The challenge lies in identifying hierarchical and heterarchical differences and inequalities within these burial grounds based on a wide range of proxies. These proxies include variations in the distribution of grave goods, burial pit sizes, bio-anthropological and isotope data, as well as spatial analyses of burial grounds, particularly focusing on the distances between graves.

The results of our examination reveal significant social inequalities among and within genders and age cohorts in the respective cemeteries. These inequalities manifest in different ways, with some cemeteries exhibiting more pronounced differences than others. Multi-proxy analyses further shed light on the varying degrees of inequality and power strategy modes observed at these sites.

For instance, our analysis reveals that the Early Iron Age and Early Bronze Age sites exhibit a relatively high degree of inequality compared to the other sites. This is particularly evident in terms of the distribution of grave goods, burial pit sizes, and bio-anthropological data. These sites appear to have been characterized by hierarchical structures and power dynamics that favored certain groups over others.

On the other hand, the Early Neolithic and Late Neolithic sites demonstrate a more equal distribution of resources and power. This is likely due to the absence of hierarchical structures and the presence of more egalitarian social systems. The Early Bronze Age site of Lauda-Königshofen, in particular, exhibits a high degree of social complexity and a complex power structure that involved both centralized and decentralized authority.

In conclusion, this book contributes to our understanding of social inequalities in the past by employing a multi-proxy approach. The analysis of selected burial grounds from Southwestern Germany provides valuable insights into the varying degrees of inequality and power strategy modes observed in different historical periods. By examining a wide range of proxies, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the complex social dynamics that shaped past societies and shed light on the enduring legacies of social inequality.

Weight: 754g
Dimension: 211 x 278 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789088909771