Identity in the Mirror of Past and Present 

Identity is a frequently used concept today, although no universally accepted definition exists. It emerges through the interaction of self-perception and external attribution and changes over the course of a lifetime. Characteristics such as gender, origin, age, occupation, or social environment shape both how individuals understand themselves and how they are perceived by others.

Groups likewise possess identities that create a sense of belonging.

But how can the identity of people long deceased be recognized? Archaeological finds from graves, settlements, and moor deposition sites provide insights into actions, social relationships, and conceptual worlds. However, they reflect only fragments of the former identities of their owners. Moreover, every interpretation is shaped by contemporary perspectives.

What constituted the identity of people in the past? What constitutes our identity today? Where do similarities exist? Where do differences emerge?

Values

What truly matters to you? 

Values indicate what feels right or wrong to an individual. Archaeology cannot determine what people from unfamiliar cultures of the past regarded as right or wrong. Archaeology concerns itself with objects once owned by people who died long ago. We can recognize what they did, but not why they acted as they did. Intangible values remain inaccessible to direct investigation and can only be inferred indirectly through interpretation.

Language

In which language do you feel most fully yourself?

Language is more than words – it is simultaneously home, bridge, and boundary. Yet without surviving linguistic evidence, we stand on uncertain ground. The Germanic peoples left rune inscriptions that offer limited insight into their language. Archaeological finds vividly demonstrate the close interconnections of this period. The peoples of Scandinavia, Central Europe, and Eastern Europe were certainly able to communicate with one another.

Gender

When do you feel most completely yourself?

In academic discourse, a distinction is drawn between biological sex and social gender. Biological sex can be determined with relative certainty from skeletal remains. Social gender is more difficult to assess. Through the comparison of grave goods, recurring patterns become visible, showing which objects were typically associated with particular biological sexes. Yet exceptions occasionally occur: do such cases indicate individuals who socially identified with another gender?

Belief

What gives you support?

Belief describes what individuals hold on to in the absence of certainty. It resides within the heart and mind. Archaeology, however, has only limited access to a person’s “heart and mind.” We do not know precisely what people in the past believed. Religious symbols can sometimes provide clues, though in many cases their meanings remain unknown. Moreover, is a symbol such as the cross always an expression of faith, or might it also represent custom or decoration?

Social Status

To what extent does your background shape who you are today?

Social status describes how individuals are perceived within society. Origin and social standing generally serve as key indicators. Familial and regional origins in prehistoric periods can sometimes be reconstructed through well-preserved skeletal remains. Social standing is inferred through factors such as the richness of grave goods or the scale of a farmstead. Yet it is not always possible to distinguish between “self-display” and genuine social esteem.

Occupation

Are you defined by your work – or is there more to you?
What gives you fulfillment?

Occupation is more than labour – it forms part of everyday existence. In earlier societies, however, occupational roles were not as differentiated as they are today. A limited number of individuals were craftspeople, such as blacksmiths, while other men were warriors. Yet they were also farmers – indeed, almost everyone was engaged in agriculture. More significant than occupation was likely whether a person was considered “free” or “unfree.”

Clothing

What does your clothing say about you before you speak?
When do you feel comfortable?

Clothing constitutes a visible exterior while simultaneously expressing inner choices. Today, dress serves as a major means of displaying identity. This was likely also the case in the past; unfortunately, clothing itself is rarely preserved. In many cases, only accessories such as brooches or belts survive to provide clues. It is sometimes possible to reconstruct the cut of garments, yet their former richness of colour and attention to decoration and detail are only rarely preserved.