The Sound of Silence: Indigenous Perspectives on the Historical Archaeology of Colonialism

Colonial encounters between indigenous peoples and European state powers are explored in this volume, highlighting the two-way nature of these interactions and offering new insights from the indigenous perspective through a combination of sources and multivocal interpretations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2023
Publisher: Berghahn Books

Colonial encounters between indigenous peoples and European state powers have played a significant role in the historical archaeology of the modern era. Postcolonial historical archaeology has emphasized the complex two-way nature of these encounters, recognizing the impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures and societies. This volume aims to explore common trajectories in indigenous colonial histories and investigate new approaches to understanding cultural contact, hybridization, and power relations between indigenous peoples and colonial powers from an indigenous perspective.

To achieve this, the volume brings together a wide geographical range of cases and employs a diverse range of sources, including oral histories, historical records, and contemporary discourses, alongside archaeological data. By combining these multiple sources, the volume seeks to offer new multivocal interpretations of colonial histories.

One of the key themes explored in the volume is the impact of colonialism on indigenous languages and cultures. The authors examine how colonial policies and practices led to the loss of languages, the marginalization of indigenous knowledge systems, and the erosion of cultural practices. They also explore how indigenous peoples have responded to these challenges, including through resistance, resilience, and the preservation of their cultural heritage.

Another important theme is the role of indigenous peoples in the colonial economy. The authors examine how indigenous labor was exploited, how indigenous communities were displaced, and how colonial powers sought to control and regulate indigenous economies. They also explore how indigenous peoples have resisted and challenged these economic practices, including through the creation of alternative economic systems and the assertion of cultural sovereignty.

The volume also examines the complex relationships between indigenous peoples and colonial powers in the context of land and resource management. The authors explore how indigenous communities have been affected by land dispossession, resource extraction, and environmental degradation, and how they have responded to these challenges through resistance, negotiation, and the assertion of their rights to land and resources.

In addition to these themes, the volume also explores the impact of colonialism on indigenous mental health and well-being. The authors examine how colonial policies and practices have led to the stigmatization of indigenous cultures, the marginalization of indigenous peoples, and the exacerbation of mental health issues. They also explore how indigenous peoples have responded to these challenges, including through the development of traditional healing practices and the assertion of their cultural identities.

Overall, this volume offers a valuable contribution to the field of historical archaeology by providing new insights into the complex two-way nature of colonial encounters between indigenous peoples and European state powers. It highlights the resilience and creativity of indigenous peoples in the face of colonialism and emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of colonial histories.

ISBN-13: 9781800739215