Metodologisk partikularism i den postkoloniala bronsåldersdiskursen

Abstract

Methodological particularism in the postcolonial BronzeAge discourse. Over the past few years Bronze Age researchhas witnessed an unfortunate separation between large-scaleand small-scale studies. This separation is maintained by aforceful critique of the ethical and political consequencesof large-scale perspectives, grand narratives and a pan-European identity in the making.By profound influence from postcolonialism and related ideologies, this critiquerepresents a discourse that strives instead to constructalternative small-scale methodologies. In order to developnew ethical perspectives and methodological approachesaiming to integrate different scale levels, I believe thatcritical examinations of small-scale perspectives and theirarchaeological influence are required.By inspiration from the concept methodologicalparticularism, I will discuss some problems with thecontemporary ideological-political and methodologicalcritique of large-scale studies. I will furthermore highlightnarrative aspects of small-scale studies put forward in regardto Scandinavian source materials. I argue that small-scalestudies, to the same degree as large-scale studies, havecreated a tale of Bronze Age society and cosmology whichaffect research results and preferred interpretations. Thisstory is, in short, about local identities in tribal societies, with shaman rituals and life-course practices at differentmeeting places in the landscape. As a closing reflection,it is proposed that cosmopolitanism could be used as analternative ideological driving force when developingintegrated studies in the future.