Reconstructing the Past: Challenging or Reinforcing the Stereotypes. Gendered Narratives in Czech Archaeological Exhibitions

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F68081758%3A_____%2F25%3A00641498" target="_blank" >RIV/68081758:_____/25:00641498 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q9IG_LuJRkYHwwHawe7IpIEqAqT7Vtuh/view" target="_blank" >https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q9IG_LuJRkYHwwHawe7IpIEqAqT7Vtuh/view</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Reconstructing the Past: Challenging or Reinforcing the Stereotypes. Gendered Narratives in Czech Archaeological Exhibitions

Original language description

Archaeological exhibitions are designed to communicate knowledge to the public – they serve as a bridge between the past and the present, offering insights not only into material culture and historical events but also into the social structures that formed them. From a gender perspective, numerous European studies show that many archaeological exhibitions present a skewed view of the past rather than an accurate reconstruction based on available evidence. Through quantitative analysis, we explore something previously unexplored: Do Czech museum exhibitions—both old and new permanent prehistoric displays—perpetuate stereotypical narratives about the roles of men and women? Even though many artefacts were created by, associated with, or depict women, their roles and lives are frequently overlooked. By analysing both visual elements and accompanying texts, we examine how gender relations in the past are presented to the public and to what extent women are made visible in these exhibitions. nAt a time when gender discourse has become entangled in culture wars, we often encounter arguments based on stereotypes that ascribe rigid social roles to individuals—roles claimed to have accompanied humankind “since time immemorial”. Archaeology is particularly vulnerable when used to legitimise specific cultural models of social organisation in the present. Their advocates often equate “tradition” with the distant past, selectively shaping it through fragmented and stereotyped facts to prove the universal validity of such models. It is essential to continually highlight these fragile aspects of archaeology, keep reflecting on the persistence of stereotypical thinking, and challenge the projection of contemporary social patterns onto reconstructions of the past. Equally important is examining how exhibitions convey scientific knowledge and shape public perceptions of history. A museum should not only educate but also provoke reflection on the ambiguities of the past, fostering dialogue about the values we carry into the present.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

60102 - Archaeology

Project

<a href="/en/project/LM2023031" target="_blank" >LM2023031: Archaeological Information System of the Czech Republic</a><br>

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů