Ideology, Materialization, and Power Strategies

Abstract

Ideology, as part of culture, is an integral component of human interactions and the power strategies that configure sociopolitical systems. We argue that ideology is materialized, or given con- crete form, in order to be a part of the human culture that is broadly shared by members of a society. This process of material- ization makes it possible to control, manipulate, and extend ide- ology beyond the local group. Ideology becomes an important source of social power when it can be given material form and controlled by a dominant group. We illustrate this process using three archaeological case studies: Neolithic and Bronze Age chief- doms of Denmark, the Moche states of northern Peru, and the Inka empire of the Andes.