Domestic Life and Material Culture

Abstract

Several dimensions of domestic life, defined as the varied familial/societal interactions that take place within residential environments, are explored through the material culture evidence found in such contexts. Material culture is defined as that segment of humankind's physical world that has been purposely made or modified, consciously or unconsciously, by people according to culturally dictated plans. Three demonstrations of the intersections between domestic life and material culture are provided: residential spaces, household artifacts, and women's roles. A brief survey of current trends in these research areas concludes the article.