The Pluralization of the History of Anthropology. BEROSE International Encyclopedia of the Histories of Anthropology

Abstract

BEROSE is a continually updated online encyclopaedia devoted to the history of anthropology and ethnographical knowledge, particularly from the 18th century through the late 20th century. The history of anthropology covers ethnological sciences, folklore studies, area studies and other historically related disciplines such as archaeology, linguistics and physical anthropology. As an interdisciplinary and collective research programme, BEROSE brings together scientists who share the goal of producing a detailed genealogical history of a discipline that from the outset has been plural. BEROSE researchers are conscious that anthropology and the history of anthropology are infinitely multiple, and that this history cannot be reduced to a single historical narrative — a canonical and teleological corpus focusing on a few grand national traditions, theoretical currents, founding fathers honoured in textbooks. On the contrary they proclaim a practice and writing of the history of anthropology that is envisioned both from the central cores and from the margins of the loci of knowledge production.