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Ruth Fulton Benedict [1887-1948]

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Definition: American anthropologist Ruth Benedict's 1934 book Patterns of Culture remains a classic of comparative cultural anthropology used in classrooms today, over seventy years later. But her real influence on the field of archaeology is her strength and resistance against the tremendous pressures against women in anthropology in general. In the 1940s, there was always an excuse to hold Ruth Benedict back, but nevertheless she conducted fieldwork and produced classics of cross cultural studies.

This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar. Any mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.

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