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WORLD ANTHROPOLOGICAL UNION

CONGRESS 2024​

Paper

A Woman Archaeologist in the field: Negotiating challenges of a gendered identity in India.

presenters

    Sudeshna Biswas

    Nationality: India

    Residence: Delhi

    Department of Anthropology University of Delhi

    Presence:Online

The discipline of archaeology entails the analysis and comprehension of antiquated cultures and societies. This approach may be interpreted as a scientific methodology for reconstructing historical occurrences. The exploration of humanity's ancient history has traditionally been characterised by a male-dominated presence, especially within the context of India. Women Archaeologists and fieldworkers frequently become intricately engaged with narratives influenced by gender dynamics during their research in remote locations. This paper aims to provide an account of the author's transformative experience when transitioning from an urban environment to the remote wilderness of the jungle. In this exposition, the author examines the complexities of human cognition, their conceptions of the world, and their process of interpretation and understanding of their interpersonal relationships. The undertaking of fieldwork in unconventional settings, particularly within tribal and rural communities, has posed a distinct challenge for women researchers in anthropology and archaeology. As part of my doctoral research, I conducted ethnoarchaeological investigations of rock art in the central region of India, specifically in Madhya Pradesh. This research seeks to interpret the cultural significance of the art by actively engaging with local communities through the collection and analysis of ethnographic narratives. The paper delves into the intricacies of negotiations with the natives' gendered identity perception and challenges in collecting ethnographic data, which have become a crucial part of my research story.

Keywords:

Archaeology. Woman. Ethnography. India. Challenges.