Archaeology of Chiefdom/Big Man

Societies
 Chiefdom/Big Man Society

What does a chief do?

How is this position different from a tribal
headman/headwoman?
Article Chiefs
 What makes a chiefdom different from a tribe?

Size?
Status?
Organizing principles?
Division of labor?
Leadership?
Economy?
Religion and ritual?
 What makes a chiefdom different from a tribe?

Very large---tens of thousands of people

Nonegalitarian---status ascribed at birth
Ranking now an important organizing principle
Occupational specialization now present
Craft specialization present, but may not be full time
Leadership now formal and hereditary, may be semi-
divine
Economy redistributivemeaning?
Ceremonies formal and under direction of specialists
may also be a function of chief (political leader)
 Chiefdoms/Big Man Societies

Wide range of these societies

Origins of hereditary inequality a fascinating
question
 Archaeological Correlates

Size?
Ascribed Status/Ranking?
Occupational specialization?
Formal leadership?
Redistributive economy?
Formal religion?
 Archaeological Correlates

Size:
Number of sites and size of each
Settlement size differences
What is it and why does it develop?
May see settlement hierarchy develop
What is it and why does it develop?
 Archaeological Correlates

Ascribed Status and Ranking

Burial goods (Grave Offerings article)
Different burial types
Spatial segregation of different burials
 Archaeological Correlates

Occupational Specialization
Differences in residential structures
Political leaders?
Religious leaders?
Workshops for craft specialists
Might be in residence or in special workshop
How to identify?
Limited access to public buildings
 Archaeological Correlates

Redistributive Economy
Storage facilities associated with elite residences
Facilities for feasting/redistribution
Settlement size differences
Chiefs village larger---why?
Ceremonial center
These surrounded by smaller villages of food producers
Two-tiered settlement pattern
Must demonstrate linkages between settlements!
 Archaeological Correlates

Formalized religion
Temples/religious structures
often of substantial size
Specialized religious objects within
Restricted access to such buildings
Special quarters located nearby
If larger, with better artifacts, may reflect status
differences of religious leaders