Ethnic identity and the anthropological relevance of archaeology

Abstract

With reference to the work of the prehistorian Vere Gordon Childe, this chapter discusses how the practise of archaeology takes place in a politicized context. The chapter focuses in particular on contemporary nationalist distortions or abuses of the archaeological record and on archaeology's relevance and responsibility for combating these abuses. Ethically responsible archaeologists are shown to have both a negative and positive role to play. Minimally, archaeologists, particularly those working abroad, must understand the political implications of their own and their colleagues' works. If they do not so contextualize their research, they run the risk of their discoveries being used for questionable political purposes. They have the additional responsibility of debunking unsustainable claims or dubious identifications based on ethnically moot material remains.