Om arkeologiens kulturbegrep

Resumé

On concept of culture in archaeology

The article is mainly dealing with the concept of culture which has been used and misused in Scandinavian archaeology. Based on a few and often arbitrary selected elements one has constructed »archaeological cultures«,, extensive both in time and space. Thus it is questionable if »macrocomplexes« like the »Komsa culture« in Northern Norway and the »Battleaxe culture« on the Continent have been cultures in the real sense, at least if we with the concept »culture« mean something more than a grouping of material traits. It seems therefore to be of importance for the archaeologists -also in Scandinavia- in a greater extent than is usual, to learn from ethnology/cultural anthropology, if we wish to discuss culture and not only products of culture.

If we want to get away from the »cultural straitjacket«, which Scandinavian archaeology gradually has put itself into, the article recommends the use of unit concepts like »phase«, »horizon«, »tradition« (Willey and Phillips), and »technocomplexes« (D. L. Clarke). If we succeed in grouping and explaining our archaeological data in the way these concepts allow, it seems to be possible to »clear away« several of the more doubtful »cultures«, which archaeologists the last 100 years have created.

After all maybe there have never existed a »Komsa culture«, a »Battleaxe culture«, or a »Pitted-ware culture«.

Anders Hagen