Narrative originates in forms common to oral cultures. The body of work examining and analyzing myths, legends, and folklore, provides a foundation and support for a greater psychologically resonant experience. Surveyed work includes: the characteristics of oral narrative sketched by Ong, the structural interpretation of myth described by Lévi-Strauss, the psychological types outlined by Jung, ...

In this commentary I discuss the characteristic features and utility of house-centric approaches, focusing on the Lévi-Straussian société “à maisons.” In reviewing the contributions to this volume I point out future prospects and continuing problems of applying the house society as a model in archaeological applications, focusing on three major issues: (1) the implications of distinguishing the...