The Division of Labour in the Iron Age – On the Informative Value of Situla Art

Abstract

Distributed in Northern Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia from the 7th to 4th century B.C., Situla Art is known for its narrative depictions, which, at first glance, makes it a good subject for examining the division of labour and gender roles.
In addition to the binary understanding of gender, the analysis of the subjects and activities depicted in Situla Art shows a distinct division of labour between women and men, though men are depicted much more frequently and are assigned a broader spectrum of activities than women. However, an analysis of grave goods and contemporary works of art presents a more nuanced picture that contrasts with the narratives in Situla Art. In some instances, the division of tasks along gender lines is less pronounced, and roles not represented in Situla Art are visible. Additionally, the picture drawn from mentioned grave goods and Situla Art is incomplete, since they barely reflect the wide variety of crafts that were certainly carried out at the time. The activities depicted in Situla Art appear to be highly selective, serving more as a reflection of the ideals held by specific elite groups rather than an accurate representation of reality. Consequently, these depictions should be interpreted as an effort to reinforce particular societal concepts rather than providing a true depiction of labour division.