Archaeology, Nation, and Race: Confronting the Past, Decolonizing the Future in Greece and Israel

Archaeology, Nation, and Race is a book that explores how archaeology and concepts of antiquity have been shaped by colonialism, race, and nationalism. It compares modern Greece and modern Israel, two prototypical and influential cases, and discusses topics such as the colonial origins of national archaeologies, the crypto-colonization of countries, and the racialization and whitening of Greece and Israel. The book concludes with a call for decolonization and the need to forge alliances with subjugated communities and new political movements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 17 March 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Archaeology, Nation, and Race is a vital and essential read for students and scholars engaged in the fields of archaeology and its adjacent disciplines. This groundbreaking book delves into the profound ways in which archaeology and notions of antiquity have been shaped by colonialism, race, and nationalism. Presented as a captivating and engaging dialogue between two esteemed scholars, the volume explores the intricate relationship between modern Greece and modern Israel, two exemplary and influential cases, where archaeology holds a central position in shaping the modern national imagination. Through their exchange of ideas, Hamilakis and Greenberg examine a wide range of topics, including the colonial roots of national archaeologies, the covert colonization of countries and their archaeological landscapes, the role of archaeology as a tool for purification, and the racialization and whitening of Greece and Israel and their archaeological and material heritage. In conclusion, the authors fervently advocate for decolonization and the formation of alliances with marginalized communities and emerging political movements. This thought-provoking book offers a profound exploration of the complex interplay between archaeology, nation-building, and social justice, shedding light on the urgent need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to the study of our shared human past.
Archaeology, Nation, and Race is a comprehensive and indispensable book for students and scholars in the fields of archaeology and its related disciplines. This groundbreaking work delves into the intricate connections between archaeology, antiquity, colonialism, race, and nationalism, shedding light on the profound ways in which these factors have shaped and been shaped by each other. Presented as a lively and engaging dialogue between two esteemed scholars, the volume explores the historical and contemporary dynamics between modern Greece and modern Israel, two exemplary and influential cases, where archaeology plays a central role in shaping the modern national imagination. Through their exchange of ideas, Hamilakis and Greenberg examine a wide range of topics, including the colonial origins of national archaeologies, the covert colonization of countries and their archaeological landscapes, the role of archaeology as a tool for purification, and the racialization and whitening of Greece and Israel and their archaeological and material heritage. In conclusion, the authors fervently advocate for decolonization and the formation of alliances with marginalized communities and emerging political movements. This thought-provoking book offers a profound exploration of the complex interplay between archaeology, nation-building, and social justice, shedding light on the urgent need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to the study of our shared human past.

Weight: 440g
Dimension: 222 x 145 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009160230
Edition number: New ed