Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8927-2680

Date of Award

Spring 5-4-2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology

First Advisor

Dr. Joshua Kwoka

Second Advisor

Dr. Jeffrey B. Glover

Third Advisor

Dr. Nicola Sharratt

Abstract

Among the Iroquois, hide processing is a highly gendered practice dominated by women. Due to the egalitarian structure of Iroquois villages, work is often distributed equally among individuals based on Iroquois gender roles. The village and surrounding areas are divided into spatial domains comprised of gendered controlled activities such as hide processing. Examining these domains through a task differentiation approach makes it possible to associate artifacts within the archaeological record with gendered labor division. Drawing on ethnohistoric and ethnographic data, this thesis analyzes gendered labor division at the Simmons Site, a Late Woodland Period (AD 900-1650) village in Elma, New York. Additionally, I highlight similarities and differences in how gendered practices were constructed and experienced by the residents of Iroquoian sites within the region. This research challenges previous gendered task differentiation models to ensure that the roles and contributions of Iroquoian women are represented in future archaeological analysis and interpretation.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/35512644

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