Habitus – ein soziologisches Konzept in der Archäologie

Abstract

Social archaeology is primarily engaged in the identification of social classes, focusing especially on the elites. In recent decades, identity and social distinction gained increasing interest. The concept of social habitus, elaborated by the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu is essential to understand these social processes. However, there is a second field, which makes the habitus concept interesting for archaeology: It provides a perspective dealing with the problem of environmental determinism, which is crucial for current question on cultural reaction on environmental change. Within the present article we try to summarize archaeologists’ reflection of the habitus concept, in classical, prehistoric and historical archaeology, mainly focusing on the German situation. Obviously habitus provides a fruitful background concept to develop new research questions and alternative interpretations. It does not, however, provide a specific methodology or a universally valid interpretation.