Checkpoints as Gendered Spaces

Checkpoints in urban landscapes serve as gendered spaces, reflecting the complexities of war, cities, and national heritage. This study challenges traditional archaeological methods by using memory and personal experiences as data, offering a new approach that transcends the limitations of conventional archival research. Focusing on Samarra Archaeological City alongside Baghdad, Najaf, and Karbala, the research documents ethnographic experiences from 2009 onward, revealing how checkpoints symbolize fractured heritage in conflict-affected regions. The findings highlight the intersection of materiality, space, and lived experiences, providing a critical lens to understand the impact of war on urban landscapes and cultural identity.

Rizvi, U. Z. (2013). Checkpoints as Gendered Spaces. The Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology of the Contemporary World. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199602001.013.014