ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how archaeologists might move beyond the concept of agency, and explores the role of identity and individuals in re-presenting the past. Archaeology plays a central role in understanding how materiality is involved in the construction of social identities. Social identity has been defined as the knowledge, value, and significance attached by a person to her or his membership in a social group. It has long been a key concept in psychology, only since the 1980s has it become part of a wider academic discourse. Focusing on symbolism, difference, boundaries, and representation as distinguishable features of the material record should enable archaeologists to recognize practices shared by social groups as well as individuals help to unravel that tangled web that people spin around their social identity. The chapter by Russell and Bogaard paints a very clear picture of this intimate association, this 'sense of place' that is so deep and engrained in memories and imaginations.
