Gender archaeology is a sub-discipline investigative method of studying ancient societies through close examination of the roles played by men and women as exhibited in the archaeological record of the past. Gender archaeologists study the relative vocational positions social status, and recognition of men and women by identifying and examining the differences in authority and power that they held according to the material remains of their society. Such differences, if any, require subjective interpretation and are often open to wide debate, as the archaeological record cannot speak more clearly than simply to supply relative artifacts that have survived through the ages.
Gender relationship and study can inform us about the relationships of other social groups such as class distinction, politics, families, religious orders, and the military.  Gender archaeologists force us to cease attempting to reconstruct the past interactions of men and women by overlaying the ancient archaeological record with a 21st century template. The benefits to anthropology generally are in the areas where researchers can learn more about gender roles, gender ideology, and gender relationships.

Gender archaeology injects new questioning into philosophical archaeology and promotes a focused awareness of the importance of valid interpretation of data as well as causing a revision of existing data. Through challenging the commonly held but preconceived ideas about how men and women inter-related in the past, this sub-discipline demands evidence instead of assertions.