Challenging the status quo: deconstructing gender stereotypes in archaeologyBisserka Gaydarska, Laura Coltofean-Arizancu and Uroš MatićStereotype 1 | Man, the hunter and field archaeologist vs. woman, the gatherer and laboratory analystBettina ArnoldStereotype 2 | Only women cooked in past societiesMarga Sánchez RomeroStereotype 3 | Active men – passive womenBettina ArnoldStereotype 4 | Only women took care of the old and sick in past societiesMarga Sánchez RomeroStereotype 5 | Only women cared about children in past societiesKatharina Rebay-SalisburyStereotype 6 | All women were young, slim and beautiful in the past, while all men were young, tall and athleticBrigitte RöderStereotype 7 | Only men were violent in past societiesUroš MatićStereotype 8 | Only high-ranking men were literate in the pastAgnès Garcia-VenturaStereotype 9 | Prehistoric societies were either matriarchal or patriarchalJulia K. KochStereotype 10 | Prehistoric female images are Mother GoddessesBisserka GaydarskaStereotype 11 | Families always consisted of a father, a mother and childrenJulia K. KochStereotype 12 | Two adult women buried together are the lady and her chambermaidJulia K. KochStereotype 13 | Sex and gender are the sameKatharina Rebay-SalisburyStereotype 14 | Binary sex and gender systems are naturalSandra Montón-SubíasStereotype 15 | There are only two gendersPamela L. GellerStereotype 16 | Gender is universalAlice B. KehoeStereotype 17 | Gender as studied by gender archaeologists is an ideologyUroš MatićStereotype 18 | Gender archaeology is practiced only by women and gay menRachel PopeStereotype 19 | Gender archaeology is only about womenDoris Gutsmiedl-SchümannStereotype 20 | There is no longer a need for dedicated gender archaeologyNils Müller-ScheeßelStereotype 21 | Same-sex practices are a “modern” invention or a disorderUroš MatićStereotype 22 | Queer archaeology is just LGBTQIA+ researchers imagining past LGBTQIA+ peopleBo JensenStereotype 23 | Women have equal career chances in archaeology as menMaria MinaStereotype 24 | Archaeology is free of harassment, assault, bullying and intimidationLaura Coltofean-Arizancu and Bisserka GaydarskaSelected bibliographyList of authorsWere men the only hunters and producers of tools, art and innovation in prehistory? Were women the only gatherers, home-bound breeders and caregivers? Are all prehistoric female depictions mother goddesses? And do women and men have equal career chances in archaeology? To put it short, no. However, these are some of the gender stereotypes that we still encounter on a daily basis in archaeology from the way archaeologists interpret the past and present it to the general public to how they practice it as a profession.This booklet is as a short but informative and critical response by archaeologists to various gender stereotypes that exist in the archaeological explanation of the past, as well as in the contemporary disciplinary practice. Gender and feminist archaeologists have fought for decades against gender stereotypes through academic writing, museum exhibitions and popular literature, among others. Despite their efforts, many of these stereotypes continue to live and even flourish, both in academic and non-academic settings, especially in countries where gender archaeology does not exist or where gender in archaeology is barely discussed. Given this context and the rise of far right or ultraconservative ideologies and beliefs across the globe, this booklet is a timely and thought-provoking contribution that openly addresses often uncomfortable topics concerning gender in archaeology, in an attempt to raise awareness both among the professionals and others interested in the discipline.The booklet includes 24 commonly encountered gender stereotypes in archaeology, explained and deconstructed in 250 words by archaeologists with expertise on gender in the past and in contemporary archaeology, most of them being members of the Archaeology and Gender in Europe (AGE) Community of the European Association of Archaeologists. In addition, the stereotypes are beautifully illustrated by Serbian award-winning artist Nikola Radosavljević.