Straight down the line? A queer consideration of hunter-gatherer studies in north-west

Cobb, Hannah

2005 Straight down the line? A queer consideration of hunter-gatherer studies in north-west Europe. In World Archaeology. 37: 4 Pp. 630-636

In the abstract, Cobb writes that it her intent is to apply “queer theory to hunter-gatherer studies,” in an effort to “move away from the pervasive heteronormative stereotypes” (Cobb 2005: 630). She argues that research of the Mesolithic, in regards to personal and place identity, were predominantly characterized by processual archaeology, but since this theoretical basis has been criticized, a shift to interpretative archaeology has been observed. Furthermore, the mistake of interpreting findings within the contemporary western framework has been increasingly challenged, one of which subject being the heteronormative view point among hunter-gatherers.

Cobb provides the example of Clive Bonsall’s research in Western Scotland. He states that the Mesolithic assemblages there were probably ‘bipolar’ because women and children were less likely to be as skilled at flint-knapping as grown men (Cobb 2005: 632). Cobb states that the only reason why Bonsall acknowledges the presence of women and children is a result of the growing feminist movement. However, while acknowledging their presence, he simultaneously disregards the possibility of equality in regards to strength and skill. Cobb argues this point by stating that men at this site, predominately hunted deer, which were not available on the island of Oronsay, where the women and children were collecting shell-fish. Evidence that they were collecting shell-fish on this particular island is provided in the large shell middens present. Because deer were not available there, men had no reason to visit the island, and women and children were crossing significant stretches of water to get to this there, which required a great deal of strength (Cobb 2005: 632).

Cobb argues that while Bonsall’s dismissal of feminine strength is worrisome, it is not nearly as worrisome as the wide spread assumption that hunter-gatherers practiced only heterosexual relationships, aligned with the contemporary western norm. She states that Jimmy Strassburg is one of the few researchers to explore homosexuality in post glacial, north-west European hunter-gatherers. However, his research is focused upon the causation of this ‘disrupted’ sexuality, implying that a non-disrupted sexuality would be aligned with the contemporary western heteronormative view point. In contrast, Cobb’s research of Mesolithic populations via symbolic archaeology has revealed that these peoples view of sexuality was malleable according to the context of a situation rather than the categorically organized structure that exists today. She suggests that the simple act of acknowledging the fact that we often assume a heteronormative structure to other societies, can help us realize that the heteronormative structure is not always the case.

I found this to be an enjoyable article. However, it only superficially skimmed the bigger picture of the issue. It lacked any specificities, details or in-depth examples. I would have liked the article to have included examples of homosexual relations in ethnographically recorded hunter-gatherers and the details of her own research into the subject.