Introduction

The impetus for the publication of this book comes from a seminar of the same title, held at the Institute of Archaeology, UCL in May 1995 and organised jointly by the Accordia Research Institute and the Institute of Archaeology. It was prompted by the contrast between the growth of gender studies in world archaeology and the absence of any work of this type in Italy. Its avowed aim was to ‘kick-start’ the study of gender in Italian archaeology and contributors were invited to focus on any period or aspect of gender, with no direction given as to methodology or theoretical approach. The seminar produced a lively discussion and interchange of ideas and it was felt that it would, be useful for the papers to be published. The present volume includes revised versions of most of the papers given at the seminar and some additional papers by authors whom I knew to be working on aspects of gender archaeology in Italy but who had not been at the seminar.