An Archaeology of Manners - The Polite World of the Merchant Elite of Colonial Massachusetts (Paperback, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1999)

A glance at the title of this book might well beg the question "What in heaven's name does archaeology have to do with manners? We cannot dig up manners or mannerly behavior-or can we?" One might also ask "Why is mannerly behavior important?" and "What can archaeology contribute to our understanding of the role of manners in the devel- ment of social relations and cultural identity in early America?" English colonists in America and elsewhere sought to replicate English notions of gentility and social structure, but of necessity div- ged from the English model. The first generation of elites in colonial America did not spring from the landed gentry of old England. Rather, they were self-made, newly rich, and newly possessed of land and other trappings of England's genteel classes. The result was a new model of gentry culture that overcame the contradiction between a value system in which gentility was conferred by birth, and the new values of bo- geois materialism and commercialism among the emerging colonial elites. Manners played a critical role in the struggle for the cultural legitimacy of gentility; mannerly behavior-along with exhibition of refined taste in architecture, fashionable clothing, elegant furnishings, and literature-provided the means through which the new-sprung colonial elites defined themselves and validated their claims on power and prestige to accompany their newfound wealth.

General

Imprint:	Springer-Verlag New York
Country of origin:	United States
Series:	Contributions To Global Historical Archaeology
Release date:	December 2010
First published:	1999
Authors:	Lorinda B.R. Goodwin
Foreword by:	Mary C. Beaudry
Dimensions:	229 x 152 x 13mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	234
Edition:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1999
ISBN-13:	978-1-4419-3321-8
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > General Books > Humanities > Archaeology > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Anthropology > General Books > History > General
LSN:	1-4419-3321-2
Barcode:	9781441933218

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