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Beyond binaries. Interrogating ancient DNA
Archaeological Dialogues Pub Date : 2020-05-15 , DOI: 10.1017/s1380203820000082
Rachel J. Crellin , Oliver J.T. Harris

In this paper we explore ancient DNA (aDNA) as a powerful new technique for archaeologists. We argue that for aDNA to reach its full potential we need to carefully consider its theoretical underpinnings. We suggest that at present much aDNA research rests upon two problematic theoretical assumptions: first, that nature and culture exist in binary opposition and that DNA is a part of nature; second, that cultures form distinct and bounded identities. The nature–culture binary, which underpins much aDNA research, not only is a misunderstanding of our world but also results in placing archaeology and material culture in a secondary and subservient position to science and aDNA. Viewing cultures as distinct and bounded creates exclusionary, simplistic and singular identities for past populations. This stands in contrast to the work of social scientists, which has revealed identity to be complex, multiple, changing and contradictory. We offer a new way forward drawing upon assemblage thinking and post-humanism. This allows us to consider the messy and complex nature of our world and of human identities, and demands that we expect equally messy and complex results to emerge when we bring aDNA into conversation with other forms of archaeological evidence.

中文翻译:

超越二进制文件。询问古代 DNA

在本文中,我们探讨了古代 DNA (aDNA) 作为考古学家的强大新技术。我们认为,要使 aDNA 充分发挥其潜力,我们需要仔细考虑其理论基础。我们认为,目前许多 aDNA 研究基于两个有问题的理论假设:首先,自然和文化存在二元对立,DNA 是自然的一部分;其次,文化形成了独特而有界的身份。支撑大量 aDNA 研究的自然-文化二元论不仅是对我们世界的误解,而且还导致将考古学和物质文化置于科学和 aDNA 的次要地位和从属地位。将文化视为独特和有界的,为过去的人口创造了排他性、简单化和单一的身份。这与社会科学家的工作形成鲜明对比,这表明身份是复杂的、多重的、变化的和矛盾的。我们提供了一种利用集合思维和后人文主义的新方法。这使我们能够考虑我们的世界和人类身份的混乱和复杂的性质,并要求我们在将 aDNA 与其他形式的考古证据进行对话时期望出现同样混乱和复杂的结果。
更新日期:2020-05-15
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