Excavating Queer History
In the previous article, we discussed the idea of a visible and transparent queer history. While there is indeed a tangible, physical queer history, I began to question whether sexuality alone is the determining factor of identity. In the 1970s, the so-called "sexual revolution" took place. By the 1990s, postmodern queer theory had begun to highlight the complex symbiosis between soma—understood as a culturally intelligible construct of the body—and techne, the techniques or systems of thought through which bodies are transformed and socially positioned.
In simpler terms, this refers to the embodied experience of the speaking subject (often queer or feminist) and their relationship with what is embodied within human consciousness.
By 2019, one might ask: Is the fight over? Have we explored the full spectrum of queer identity, or are there still discoveries to be made? Truthfully, I don’t know—because I am neither an anthropologist nor an art historian. However, as previously mentioned, from an activist perspective, the discovery of one’s identity is a deeply personal process. In that sense, we are all archaeologists. Queer history is written down—concealed—within our minds; and if we choose, we can excavate it.
Archaeological Excavation
In archaeology, excavation is defined as “the exposure, processing, and recording of archaeological remains.” The excavation site—or “dig”—is the location being studied. It can take up to a year to complete an excavation project, during which various types of data are uncovered:
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Artefacts (man-made objects)
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Ecofacts (evidence of local environments and natural resources)
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Context (the relationships among the different types of finds)
From this data, archaeologists can reconstruct the site in three-dimensional space (3D). Archaeological sites are stratified—layered in successive strata of sediment. Each stratum contains vital information that allows archaeologists to draw conclusions about the history of the site. Context—the physical and spatial location of an object—is essential in archaeology. The remains, preserved and “frozen in time” within the stratification, represent traces of past events that can be contextualised.
Multiple “fills” (layers) within a section often indicate multiple contexts. By breaking down a site into these basic, discrete units, archaeologists are able to build a chronology. In archaeology, a section refers to a vertical cut through the site—a cross-sectional view that reveals the profile and layering of the soil. This technique makes it easier to interpret the site's development over time. Drawing such cross-sections is a way of recording history—narrating it in a chronological manner, typically from the oldest stratum to the most recent layer.
Excavation as a Metaphor for Discovering Queer History
The concept of excavation as a metaphor for the discovery of queer history is a powerful and compelling one. Once we become aware of our sexuality, we are likely to begin perceiving artefacts—and perhaps the world itself—differently. Understanding context alters perception. This shift can even generate new fantasies or emotional resonances.
For example, consider Caravaggio’s Boy Bitten by a Lizard. The painting is uncanny in its portrayal of a boy who resembles an effeminate Apollo. However, once we understand the context—that Caravaggio was a gay man—the initial strangeness of the painting becomes less mysterious. Our understanding deepens: we begin to notice his camp mannerisms, the sensual openness of his mouth, the flower in his hair, and the nudity of his exposed shoulder. We can now interpret this figure not as Apollo (a god), but as une folle (a flamboyant young man), perhaps a prostitute—possibly even Caravaggio’s lover.
In this way, learning becomes a process of excavation. For me, this has meant excavating a queer history. Just as archaeological knowledge is constructed from layers—paradigms, ideologies, and schools of thought—queer knowledge, too, is sedimented. Throughout this Master's program, I have excavated, analysed data, and organised my findings in a logical and structured fashion.
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