Book description
Archaeology
has been complicit in the appropriation of indigenous peoples' pasts
worldwide. While tales of blatant archaeological colonialism abound from the
era of empire, the process also took more subtle and insidious forms. Ian
McNiven and Lynette Russell outline archaeology's "colonial culture" and how
it has shaped archaeological practice over the past century. Using examples
from their native Australia-- and comparative material from North America,
Africa, and elsewhere-- the authors show how colonized peoples were
objectified by research, had their needs subordinated to those of science,
were disassociated from their accomplishments by theories of diffusion,
watched their histories reshaped by western concepts of social evolution,
and had their cultures appropriated toward nationalist ends. The authors
conclude by offering a decolonized archaeological practice through
collaborative partnership with native peoples in understanding their past. [Altamira
Press]
About the authors
Dr. Ian McNiven is Senior Lecturer and co-director of the Programme for
Australian Indigenous Archaeology within the School of Geography and
Environmental Science, Monash University.
Professor Lynette Russell holds the Chair in the Centre for
Australian Indigenous Studies at Monash University.
Other titles by Professor Russell include A Little Bird Told
Me (2002) and Savage Imaginings (2001).
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