Appropriated Pasts: Indigenous Peoples and the Colonial Culture of Archaeology / Edition 1

by Ian J. McNiven, Lynette Russell

Overview

: 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780759109070
Publisher:	AltaMira Press
Publication date:	09/08/2005
Series:	Archaeology in Society
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.96(h) x 0.76(d)

About the Author

Ian J. McNiven is Senior Lecturer and co-director of the Programme for Australian Indigenous Archaeology within the School of Geography and Environmental Science, Monash University.Lynette Russell holds the Chair in Australian Indigenous Studies at Monash University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Colonial Culture of Archaeology Chapter 2 Progressivism: The Invention of Prehistory Chapter 3 Antiquation: Aboriginal Peoples as Living Fossils Chapter 4 Migrationism: The Archaeology of Dispossession Chapter 5 Diffusionism: The Archaeology of Alienation Chapter 6 Subjectation: Appropration Through Science Chapter 7 Shared Nations: The New Appropriation Chapter 8 Partnerships: Pathways to a Decolonised Practice Chapter 9 References Chapter 10 Index

What People are Saying About This

Claire Smith

Incisive and thought-provoking. A volume that touches all facets of archaeology because of the seriousness of the issues it raises.

Joe Watkins

The authors have given solid support to their goal of producing a manuscript that calls attention not only to the ways that archaeology has been used to subordinate, objectify, and appropriate the heritage and past of indigenous populations in Australia but they have found the means of supporting that goal through lucid writing and documentation. The text will be a useful tool to social scientists studying the issues inherent in Indigenous studies and reflexive examinations of archaeology as a political enterprise, as well as to those archaeologists in North America or in Australia struggling with the idea of a shared stewardship. As such, I see the volume as being a major textbook within classes examining Indigenous Archaeology and Critical Archaeology courses of study.

Editorial Reviews

This voume is well suited as a textbook in archaeology, Native Studies, and other disciplines. It will clearly be read and widely cited for years to come on several continents.

Canadian Journal of Archaeology - 2007

For the historian wanting to learn about the history of a highly relevant discipline, Appropriated Pasts is a very good starting point. In exposing the national impacts of archaeology's history, we come face to face with many of the lingering cultural assumptions that inform our visual and textual reference languages. This book presents numerous profound insights into a scientific practice that has shaped our views of Aboriginal peoples.

Australian Historical Studies - Ann McGrath

A good read, informative and thought-provoking. Summing Up: Recommended. Most levels/libraries.

Choice Reviews

The authors have given solid support to their goal of producing a manuscript that calls attention not only to the ways that archaeology has been used to subordinate, objectify, and appropriate the heritage and past of indigenous populations in Australia but they have found the means of supporting that goal through lucid writing and documentation. The text will be a useful tool to social scientists studying the issues inherent in Indigenous studies and reflexive examinations of archaeology as a political enterprise, as well as to those archaeologists in North America or in Australia struggling with the idea of a shared stewardship. As such, I see the volume as being a major textbook within classes examining Indigenous Archaeology and Critical Archaeology courses of study.

Joe Watkins

Incisive and thought-provoking. A volume that touches all facets of archaeology because of the seriousness of the issues it raises.

Claire Smith

The book contains an important mapping of 'western' thoughts that influenced certain archaeologies and some fascinating case studies that help especially outsiders better understand Australia's many pasts.

South African Archaeological Bulletin

The authors effectively utilize Australian archaeology and its relationship with indigenous people in order to present their argument, but with themes directed at wider audiences with varying interests, including archaeologists and anthropologists, historians and social scientists.

Museum Anthropology

This voume is well suited as a textbook in archaeology, Native Studies, and other disciplines. It will clearly be read and widely cited for years to come on several continents.

From the Publisher

A good read, informative and thought-provoking. Summing Up: Recommended. Most levels/libraries.

Choice

A good read, informative and thought-provoking. Summing Up: Recommended. Most levels/libraries.

CHOICE

I found this book enjoyable and stimulating. It is a thoughtful summation of the sins of our archaeological ancestors. 2007

Aboriginal History

This voume is well suited as a textbook in archaeology, Native Studies, and other disciplines. It will clearly be read and widely cited for years to come on several continents. 2007

Canadian Journal of Archaeology

This voume is well suited as a textbook in archaeology, Native Studies, and other disciplines. It will clearly be read and widely cited for years to come on several continents. 2007

Canadian Journal Of Archaeology

For the historian wanting to learn about the history of a highly relevant discipline, Appropriated Pasts is a very good starting point. In exposing the national impacts of archaeology's history, we come face to face with many of the lingering cultural assumptions that inform our visual and textual reference languages. This book presents numerous profound insights into a scientific practice that has shaped our views of Aboriginal peoples.
— Ann McGrath, Australian National University

Australian Historical Studies