Crossing the Divide: Opening a dialogue on approaches to Western European first Millennium BC studies

Abstract

This chapter examines the current state of first millennium BC research, focusing on the ways archaeological traditions have converged and diverged between and within the major Western European countries. It discusses the impact of such differences on the creation of different archaeologies throughout the region, focusing on key developments in social modelling, landscape archaeology, and studies of identity. It examines the reasons why topics such as ethnicity, identity, and agency have preoccupied many British scholars; why such themes have had less resonance in Continental approaches; and to what extent does recent work, illustrated by the chapters in this volume, represent the emergence of a paradigm shift, or continued divergence of perspectives. The chapter aims to provide a view of the state of late Bronze Age and Iron Age studies from contrasting European perspectives. It concludes with an outline of how a European approach may be conceived and reflect on the benefits of European-wide dialogue.