Archaeology of Everyday Life

Abstract

Everyday life is critical in the constitution of selves and societies alike. Archaeology, with its attention to material and spatial remains, is in a unique position to further studies of everyday life, as ordinary materials and spaces formalize how people learn about themselves and their world. This review defines an archaeology of everyday life, examines its historical roots, synthesizes new literature on the topic, and outlines future directions. Although there is no established subfield called “everyday archaeology,” a rich and ever-growing body of recent research illustrates the impact of everyday life studies on archaeological interpretations and practice. Research on everyday life peoples the past in a way that few other paradigms do.