Kritische Archäologie: Gedanken zu einer undisziplinären und dekolonialen Wissenschaft

Abstract

Reflecting on the meanings of a critical archaeology, this essay introduces ideas for an undisciplinary and decolonial archaeological practice. Based on a discussion of the colonialist and imperialist legacy of archaeology, the paper invites scholars to move beyond postcolonial approaches, which propagate a decentering of hegemonic categories of knowledge, and work toward real political change. This implies a refusal of heuristic privilege, a radical unthinking of power, and a commitment to and recognition of difference as mutual.