ABSTRACT
Archaeological research into egalitarian societies is not uncommon; however, the sociopolitical models used are less well developed. The use of the concept of anarchy could extend our models of past societies. In this light, egalitarian ways of living may be seen as conscious choices instead of just low-level development. The case study of the Iron Age in the Oer–IJ area of the Netherlands gives theoretical and methodological insight into how the concept of anarchy can be analysed in an archaeological context. The fields of economy, burial practice, ritual practice, and architecture will be used to research the sociopolitical dynamics. Anarchy is often seen as a possible future; however, it may already have been practiced in the past.
