ABSTRACT
In studying a particular occupation in a particular place-time, the historian should investigate precisely what tasks it encompassed, and what skills and knowledge it required – which together are called “technique.” Exactly what the occupation worked on, or the “object of technique,” along with bodily and mental experiences of work, also varied. The same occupation in different cultures and societies had different technique and object of technique. Tasks and skills were divided among occupations or lumped together into one occupation in different ways, as examples demonstrate. Further, technique encompassed both direct producing activities, such as healing or making swords, and supporting activities, such as knowing how to acquire raw materi- als or find clients. The chapter also offers a rough typology of occupations.
