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2 Theory For A Bioarchaeology Of Community: Potentials, Practices, And Pitfalls, Ann M. Kakaliouras

Anthropology

This chapter is an exploration of theory and practice that could be useful for the articulation of a “bioarchaeology of community.” “Community” is a more complex and vexing concept than meets the eye, and its meaning has changed significantly over the past few centuries. This chapter reviews the varied meanings of community in the recent past, evaluates archaeological understandings of community, and explores current uses of social theory in bioarchaeology. Lastly, I lay out a potential theoretical and ethical roadmap for bioarchaeologists who wish to investigate past communities.