Session: #431

Session, made up of a combination of papers, max. 15 minutes each

This session seeks to explore new ways to identify elites in the archaeological source material during the 12th until the 18th centuries. Elite is understood as a group of persons belonging to the upper echelons of society in a town, territory or dominion in terms of military, economic, religious or political power, and even education. This group of peers is characterised by being involved in decision-making processes in their homestead. Moreover, its network includes contacts to similar groups in other areas. The contributions in this session are invited to focus upon archaeological approaches available to identify remains of this powerful group. Therefore, presentations should discuss diachronic or supra-regional features and not just single contexts such as graves, monuments, latrines, or outstanding precious finds. Critical reviews of traditional approaches based upon import, prestigious goods, written sources etc., or new perspectives on these classic elite markers are welcome.
The session intends to discuss the following questions:
Theoretical background - what characterises elite? Staging and distinction – is elite defined by other societal classes and/or its members? How far is it possible to spot elite while tracing innovative or traditional products? In terms of norms and practice: is it possible to identify rule setters and rule breakers in archaeological source material? Do the upper layer of society and the elite group always coincide? Supply and demand: what is the relationship between procurement of exotic/import/vintage goods and elites? Between conspicuous consumption and understatement – what does elite show off?

Pottery, Housing, Grave Goods, Trade

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Assoc. Prof. Dr Rainer Atzbach (Denmark) ¹

Privatdozent Dr. Felix Biermann (Germany) ²