Narrative Knowledge, Archaeology, and Gender Roles: How We Use Today’s Stories to Make Sense of the Past

Using the Venus of Willendorf as a case study, I explore the interplay between narrative knowledge and the construction of gender roles in archaeological interpretation. Archaeological narratives, often developed from limited data and connected by speculative elements, significantly shape public perception and academic understanding. While these narratives aim to bridge gaps in the archaeological record, they inadvertently reflect contemporary societal structures, especially in the assignment of gender roles. This study examines the tendency within archaeology to project modern gender norms onto the past, frequently in the absence of definitive evidence. Such projections can result in reconstructions that not only misrepresent but also oversimplify the complex nature of past gender roles. By critically analysing these narrative practices and their reliance on cognitive biases, this research aims to uncover how historical gender roles are constructed and highlight potential inaccuracies in this process