Introduction

This introductory chapter begins by presenting the aim of the volume, which is to show that, despite more than four decades since first being introduced in Western European archaeologies, the study of gender has not lost its capacity to generate change in archaeological research, as well as in the lives of archaeologists, and that it can also be a source of inspiration for change outside of archaeology, for other research domains, as well as for wider society. It then goes on to present each chapter’s contribution to the achievement of this aim: seven of the chapters present new ideas relevant for the analysis of the archaeological record; five analyse different archaeological work milieus and paths for change; two show how gender archaeology could inspire new ideas in other research domains (the social sciences and biological anthropology); and a further two investigate the extent to which the results of gender research in archaeology are able to reach wider society and change its understanding of gender. The chapter concludes by suggesting a number of paths for the further development of the field, highlighting the need for better communication with other research fields and the wider public.