Historical Archaeology in Tropical Africa: Revolutionary Practices

Abstract

The perception and practices of historical archaeology in tropical Africa differ from those in the United States where the sub-discipline originated. In Africa, oral traditions have become a much-relied-upon source for historical archaeological practice. Temporally, historical archaeology in Africa covers a period of more than the 500-year threshold applicable in the United States, where it is linked with the spread of Europeans to other continents, including the Americas. Thematically, the coverage of historical archaeology research in Africa also includes topics relating to the internal dynamics of African communities. Therefore, historical archaeology in tropical Africa charts a unique path that diverges from that of the United States. The multivocal views from oral traditions pertaining to the African past are also helping to deconstruct the deleterious and often constrictive colonial narratives about the continent's past. This entry explores the changes over time in the approach and theoretical framework that have been shaping historical archaeology in tropical Africa.