From Ideology to Methodology: The Term “Charon’s Obol” in Modern Archaeological Discourse

This article deals with the paradoxical situation associated use of term “Charon’s obol” in modern archaeological discourse. The turned into an unspoken normative historiographical rule and “indisputable” explanatory model. At same time, itself is essentially “empty”, does not need to be argued, being evidence arising from “natural” logic research. Archaeological discourse turns discovery a inevitability. Almost any coin (of material value) ancient early Middle Ages found Europe, Scandinavia, Far East, or Central Asia, usually declared by researchers. Surprisingly, further region located Greek poleis, more coins dedicated Charon archaeologists find. Moreover, historiography, has become unambiguous symbol only book mythology, but also entire culture. paradox that Charon, ideas researchers about whom constitute content term, did coins, “ancient funeral rite” which authors appeal as model “payment Charon” imply payments Charon. result uncritical reading classical literature. cannot filled content, artificial ideological construction related research tradition based on European Romanticism (concepts I. Winkelman V. Goethe).