This controversial book is a survey of how relationships between indigenous peoples and the archaeological establishment have got into difficulty, and a crucial pointer to how to move forward from this point.
With lucid appraisals of key debates such as NAGPRA, Kennewick and the repatriation of Tasmanian artefacts, Laurajane Smith dissects the nature and consequences of this clash of cultures.
Smith explores how indigenous communities in the USA and Australia have confronted the pre-eminence of archaeological theory and discourse in the way the material remains of their past are cared for and controlled, and how this has challenged traditional archaeological thought and practice.
Essential reading for all those concerned with developing a just and equal dialogue between the two parties, and the role of archaeology in the research and management of their heritage.
Author(s): Laurajane Smith
Edition: 1
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 273
BOOK COVER......Page 1
TITLE......Page 4
COPYRIGHT......Page 5
CONTENTS......Page 8
Acknowledgements......Page 9
1 Introduction......Page 14
2 The cultural politics of identity defining the problem......Page 29
3 Archaeological theory and the politics of the past......Page 46
4 Archaeology and the context of governance: expertise and the state......Page 71
5 Archaeological stewardship: the rise of cultural resource management and the ‘scientific professsional’ archaeologist......Page 94
6 Significance concepts and the embedding of processual discourse in cultural resource management......Page 118
7 The role of legislation in the governance of material culture in America and Australia......Page 138
8 NAGPRA and Kennewick: contesting archaeological governance in America......Page 169
9 The ‘death of archaeology’: contesting archaeological governance in Australia......Page 187
10 Conclusion......Page 208
Notes......Page 217
Bibliography......Page 220
Index......Page 264
