Men and Women and Their Little One: Archaeology of Gender and Childhood in India

Ankit Chanchal

Archaeology endeavours to reconstruct past societies by analysing the material remains left by various social groups. Despite its potential for inclusivity, women and children have frequently been marginalized in archaeological discourse particularly in South Asia. This marginalization arises from two interrelated issues: the predominance of male-authored sources and the persistent presence of male-centred biases in archaeological and anthropological interpretations. Even when women are acknowledged, their roles are often interpreted through male perspectives or perceived as extensions of male activities, consequently this unilateral and androcentric trajectory precipitated gender and childhood archaeology. Gender archaeology seeks to address these deficiencies by advocating for a critical reassessment of material evidence through the lens of “feminist consciousness” or gendered lens. This perspective emphasizes the necessity of questioning established notions, particularly those rooted in the “Man the Hunter–Woman the Gatherer” model, which traditionally portrayed women as passive and confined to domestic roles. Subsequent studies have demonstrated that women actively participated in subsistence activities, including hunting, and played significant roles in crafting, household management, and symbolic representation. Material evidence from various period provides valuable insights into gender roles and social identities. Furthermore, considering children as a category of analysis enhances our understanding of gender dynamics, particularly in relation to motherhood and caregiving roles. This paper employs a descriptive and conceptually analytical approach, focusing on the critical evaluation of theoretical models to reassess women's and children's contributions to cultural development and to more effectively integrate gender into archaeological interpretations in light of recent developments in South Asian archaeological discourse.