Tracing Gestures: The Art and Archaeology of Bodily Communication

This volume explores the role of gestures in past societies
societies, tracing the symbolism and significance of ancient gestures, rituals, and bodily techniques through material remnants. It brings together case studies from Aegean, Mediterranean, Mesoamerican, Japanese, and Near Eastern archaeology, demonstrating the diversity of research on gestures and offering new perspectives on bodily communication across cultures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 28 July 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This comprehensive volume delves into the intricate realm of gestures in ancient societies, exploring the multifaceted ways in which meaning was conveyed through bodily actions. It also sheds light on the methods employed by archaeologists to unravel the symbolism and significance of ancient gestures, rituals, and bodily techniques by examining the material remnants left behind by past human groups.

Gesture studies, a rapidly growing field within the social sciences, is addressed in the individual chapters of this volume. These chapters not only respond to the advancements in the field but also propel it forward by engaging in a vibrant dialogue with diverse perspectives and approaches. Each chapter adopts a critical and reflexive stance toward bodily communication and the re-creation of bodies through the archaeological record, encompassing art, the treatment of the body, and material culture. Collectively, these chapters showcase the remarkable diversity of pioneering global research on gestures in archaeology and related disciplines, with contributions from esteemed researchers in Aegean, Mediterranean, Mesoamerican, Japanese, and Near Eastern archaeology.

By bringing together case studies from each of these diverse cultures and regions, this volume fosters a comprehensive understanding of gestures as expressed across the world. By drawing upon interdisciplinary insights from anthropology, sociology, psychology, linguistics, design, art history, and the performing arts, it unveils the similarities and differences in gestures as they manifest in different cultures throughout history. Moreover, it presents fresh and insightful perspectives on the nature of bodily communication across both spatial and temporal dimensions.

This volume serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike, offering a comprehensive exploration of the role of gestures in past societies. It sheds light on the rich tapestry of human communication and provides valuable insights into the complexities of our shared human history.

Weight: 560g
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350276987