“Assemblage”
Pronunciation: /əˈsɛmblɪdʒ/ (uh-SEM-blihj)
Part of Speech: Noun
Quick Definition: A set of artifacts recovered from a single context (like a burial or a house floor) or a defined site area.
General Use: “The Assemblage recovered from the Late Bronze Age settlement included locally made pottery, imported metal tools, and animal bones. Consequently, it provided a comprehensive picture of the residents’ economy.”
The Isenheim Altarpiece – This monumental religious artwork is itself an Assemblage of painted panels, a carved altarpiece, and various sculptural elements. Its combined components create a powerful, unified narrative.
The Problem of Mixture – Due to post-depositional processes (like burrowing animals or later human activity), an Assemblage found in one layer might contain items from different time periods. This hidden mixture requires careful chronological sorting.
Cultural Definition – In some theoretical approaches, a specific combination of tool types or decorative patterns defines a cultural group. Thus, a characteristic Assemblage can be used as a proxy for naming the culture itself, making its identity monumental.
Did you know?
Archaeologists use the Assemblage to define and characterize a specific culture or time period at a site. The types of tools, pottery styles, and subsistence remains within the collection are analyzed as a cohesive unit. Furthermore, comparing assemblages from different sites allows researchers to establish trade links and map the movement of ancient peoples.
Assemblage Definition (Primary Context)
In archaeology, the Assemblage is a technical classification used to group all materials recovered from an archaeological unit, such as a layer, a feature (like a hearth or pit), or an entire site. This collection includes manufactured objects (artifacts), natural remains (ecofacts) like seeds and bones, and structural evidence (features) like post holes or walls. The Assemblage is distinct from a Culture or Tradition, which are broader concepts defined by repeated patterns across multiple assemblages over time.
French: assemblage, derived from assembler (to bring together, to gather).
Collection, Material Culture, Artifact Group, Inventory, Contextual Finds.
Isolate Find (single item), Ecofact (natural remains only), Feature (non-portable structure only).
Deposit, Stratum, Locus, Inventory.
Historical Context of Assemblage
The formal concept of the Assemblage emerged with the development of rigorous archaeological method in the early 20th century. Before this, excavations often focused only on collecting spectacular individual artifacts. Scholars realized that the relationship between all recovered items—the complete Assemblage—was crucial for understanding ancient behavior. The move to classifying artifacts based on their co-occurrence greatly improved the accuracy of cultural and chronological dating.
Social Context of Assemblage
The study of an Assemblage provides direct insight into the daily, economic, and social lives of past inhabitants. For instance, the presence of specific craft tools or luxury imports suggests trade connections and social stratification. Furthermore, the ratio of certain domestic artifacts can indicate family size or the gender-based division of labor. The interpretation of the total Assemblage moves the focus beyond individual objects to analyze the entire social system.
| Area of Influence | Significance and Impact |
| Chronology | Consistent groupings of artifacts (the Assemblage) help researchers establish precise chronological phases and dating sequences for a region. |
| Subsistence | The combination of ecofacts (bones, seeds) and artifacts (tools) reveals the primary methods of food procurement and preparation. |
| Activity Areas | Analyzing the spatial distribution of the Assemblage within a dwelling helps define specific areas used for cooking, sleeping, or crafting. |
| Trade Networks | The presence of exotic or nonlocal artifacts within the collection confirms contact and economic exchange with distant regions. |
Terms Related to Assemblage
The term sits within a hierarchy of archaeological concepts used for classifying sites and materials. Understanding these related terms provides essential context for interpreting the data. This provides a clearer view of the theoretical framework surrounding site analysis.
| Term/Concept | Description and Relevance |
| Artifact | Any portable object used, modified, or made by human activity (e.g., pottery, tools). |
| Ecofact | Natural remains found at a site (e.g., pollen, unworked bone, seeds). This contributes heavily to the assemblage. |
| Feature | A non-portable structure or alteration of the ground (e.g., fire pits, walls, post holes). This is a component of the collection. |
| Horizon | A consistent set of traits (or an assemblage) that spreads rapidly and widely across a region, marking a single point in time. |
| Component | A spatially and temporally distinct unit of a site. This often corresponds to a single cultural assemblage. |
| Context | The precise location, matrix, and association of a find. This is essential for the valid interpretation of the assemblage. |
Sources & Credits
Sources
- Renfrew, C., and P. Bahn. “Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice.” Thames & Hudson, 2016. [Historical source]
- Binford, L. R. “An Archaeological Perspective.” Seminar Press, 1972. [Historical source]
- “Assemblage.” Dictionary of Anthropology. [Definition site]
- Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge. “Classification of Material Culture.” Course Notes. [Government institutional body/definition site]
- Ashmore, W., and R. J. Sharer. “Discovering Our Past: A Brief Introduction to Archaeology.” McGraw-Hill, 2013. [Historical source]
