An Archaeological Perspective on the Evolution of Social Class and Consumption Patterns in the Modern World

The increased wealth of individuals within a society, along with their occupation, possessions and class-consciousness, often brings with it a change in the social stratification and class system of that society. Individuals tend to acquire, own, use, and display certain goods and services to enhance their sense of self, to present an image of what they are like, to represent what they feel and think, and to bring about the types of social relationships they wish to have. Whilst this may be perceived as being a relatively recent phenomenon of modern society, an examination of archaeological remains seems to suggest otherwise. Using such evidence, this paper discusses the rise and fall of the Great Zimbabwe Empire. We provide evidence of a complex prehistoric society engaged in a trade network, which contributed to the formation of distinct social class segments within that society.