EAZ 59 (3): New publication announcement

An Ethnoarchaeology of Ontologies: Animism(s) and the Animation of Fire Among the Northern Komi and Tundra Nenets of Northwest Eurasia

by Erik Solfeldt and Anna Naglaya

DOI: 10.54799/BSPZ5423

Highlights:

"Just as different animistic syncretisms vary across northwest Eurasia and have done so over time – even prior to colonization and Christianization – there could not have been a single, unified animism among all prehistoric hunter-gatherers."

In the ontologies of the Tundra Nenets and Northern Komi, fire is an animated, living being – an active participant in the household, that has needs and feelings.

The authors examine and challenge the traditional archaeological approach of categorising artefacts and phenomena as either 'functional/practical' or 'ritual/symbolic'.

 

 

This contribution is part of the special issue "Working, Living and Learning Well Together? Global Perspectives, Approaches and Challenges in Indigenous Archaeology and Beyond" edited by Sonja B. Grimm, Annemieke Milks, Henny Piezonka, Martin Porr and Nupur Tiwari.