Archaeological Pitfalls of Storage

Abstract

A number of researchers have argued that storage inherently generates surpluses and plays a critical role in the development of socioeconomic inequalities. This has led to archaeological attempts to track and quantify prehistoric storage practices. However, the models used have often been narrowly focused on traditional ecological assumptions, and the evidence used in interpretations has generally been in the form of pit storage or masonry structures. I contend that these approaches have produced flawed reconstructions of past storage and surplus conditions due to the widespread occurrence of storage techniques that leave little archaeological evidence. Indirect ways of monitoring surpluses and storage are probably far more accurate and reliable ways of dealing with these issues. I provide an example from the Near East of how this can be done by estimating the caloric requirements of feasts and prestige items. On the other hand, pit storage and the more archaeologically visible forms of storage can be used to address other interesting questions about past societies involving levels of security, inequalities, and exploitation.