Narratives of colonialism, grand and not so grand: A critical reflection on the archaeology of the Spanish and Portuguese Americas

Abstract

Grand narratives of conquest, conversion, and mestizaje continue to influence archaeological research in the Spanish and Portuguese Americas. The contributors to this important volume have disrupted these narratives through fine-grained, historically specific studies that bring forward the contradictory elements of colonial projects. Economic analysis plays a surprisingly central role in many studies, drawing attention to human needs for survival and profit-seeking ambitions, as well as the cultural and social aspects of economic activities. Together, these rigorous studies defy generalization, challenging future researchers to study colonialism in all its complexities.