Odd deposits and average practice. A critical history of the concept of structured deposition

Abstract

This paper presents a critical history of the concept of 'structured deposition'. It examines the long-term development of this idea in archaeology, from its origins in the early 1980s through to the present day, looking at how it has been moulded and transformed. On the basis of this historical account, a number of problems are identified with the way that 'structured deposition' has generally been conceptualized and applied. It is suggested that the range of deposits described under a single banner as being 'structured' is unhelpfully broad, and that archaeologists have been too willing to view material culture patterning as intentionally produced -the result of symbolic or ritual action. It is also argued that the material signatures of 'everyday' practice have been undertheorized and all too often ignored. Ultimately, it is suggested that if we are ever to understand fully the archaeological signatures of past practice, it is vital to consider the 'everyday' as well as the 'ritual' processes which lie behind the patterns we uncover in the ground.

Sitios en altura y vasijas rotas: reconsiderando la etapa de ‘plenitud’ de Cogotas I (1450-1150 cal AC) en la Meseta

“…6C), al emplear abundantes cerámicas erosionadas, esquirlas de fauna y once molinos barquiformes amortizados (7). Este término también ayudaría a interpretar la presencia en tales lugares de cerámicas Protoco- Otros contextos deposicionales minoritarios se situarían en el polo opuesto (Garrow 2012), al responder a un mayor grado de intencionalidad. Es el caso de hoyos tan peculiares como el 23 o el S-33 de Pico Castro, según veremos.…”

“…Es necesario evaluar el grado de formalismo y voluntad en el abandono de los restos en diversos contextos deposicionales. Ello será posible caracterizando sus 'historias deposicionales' (Brudenell y Cooper 2008;Garrow 2012), así como caracterizando las 'biografías culturales' de los materiales allí incorporados (Kopytoff 1986; Gosden y Marshall 1999). En las sedes agregativas encaramadas, y posiblemente también en el llano, se hallarán depósitos voluminosos de restos domésticos (fauna consumida, desechos de artesanías estimadas socialmente, restos de vasijas vinculadas a episodios o seres) descartados de manera simultánea, producto de reuniones festivas multitudinarias.…”

“…Pero, mayoritariamente, la evidencia parece fruto de unas prácticas de descarte rutinarias y despreocupadas, sin pretensión explícita de deshacerse de los desechos según reglas tan estrictas. Su más precisa definición permitirá comprender mejor tales hábitos consuetudinarios (Garrow 2012) entre las sociedades aquí estudiadas.…”

Sacrifice or Offering: What Can We See in the Archaeology of Northern Europe?

“…(for discussion about terminology see, e.g., Osborne 2004;Garrow 2012;Oras 2012), are one of the find groups which often involve the use of the terms 'sacrifice' and 'offering'. This group of archaeological material is a widespread phenomenon with a long-term history.…”

Nueva contribución a la cronología absoluta del foso-trinchera monumental de Stretto- Partanna (Trapani, Sicilia)

“…Finally there was a progressive silting at the higher levels, after the primary purpose for which the ditch-trench was first aimed had disappeared (Galetti et al 1997). The strictly natural water-flooded stratification in the lower part of the ditch-trench does not lead us to interpretations involving human intentionality (the fashionable so-called "structured depositions", currently subject to criticism [Garrow 2012]). we carried out a micro-stratigraphic excavation in which 38 natural stratigraphic units were isolated in the 2 m of deposits, their interfaces frequently being delimited by lenticular sandy beddings.…”