African Historical Archaeologies

by Reid, Andrew M.; Lane, Paul J.

• ISBN13: 9780306479953
• ISBN10: 0306479958
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Pub

Summary

Traditionally, Historical Archaeology has had a North American or European stance, focusing on the interplay between historical documents and the archaeological record. For Africa, with its non-traditional historical sources, this interplay is not as applicable. These sources also inform the period of contact with Europeans, during which the shape of the modern continent was inexorably defined. By focusing on such sources, it becomes possible to present historical understandings which access African experiences with outsiders and other African populations. This volume explores the range of interactions between the historical sources and archaeology that are available on the African continent. The contributions, written by a range of experts on different aspects of African archaeology, present the underlying issues such as:- The conflict and collaboration in the foundation of modern Africa;- African trading communities maintaining their independence from Europe;- The impacts of the Atlantic slave trade.This represents the first consideration of historical archaeology over the African continent as a whole and therefore provides an important review for African archaeologists and historians. This seminal volume also explores Africa's place in global systems of thought and economic development for historical archaeologists and historians alike.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. African Historical Archaeologies: An Introductory Consideration of Scope and Potential	1	(32)
Andrew Reid and Paul Lane
Chapter 2. History, Archaeology and Nubian Identities in the Middle Nile	33	(26)
David Edwards
Chapter 3. Re-Evaluating Traditional Histories on the Coast of Kenya: An Archaeological Perspective	59	(32)
Richard Helnt
Chapter 4. Behind the Sultan of Kilwa's "Rebellious Conduct": Local Perspectives on an International East African Town	91	(34)
Jeff Fleisher
Chapter 5. Swahili Archaeology and History of Pemba, Tanzania: A Critique and Case Study of the Use of Written and Oral Sources in Archaeology	125	(38)
Adria La Violette
Chapter 6. A True Picture?: Colonial and Other Historical Archaeologies	163	(26)
Timothy Insoll
Chapter 7. Boka Botuin and the Decorated Stones of the Cross River Region, Eastern Nigeria	189	(30)
Keith Ray
Chapter 8. The African Diaspora Starts Here: Historical Archaeology of Coastal West Africa	219	(24)
Kenneth G. Kelly
Chapter 9. Less Implicit Historical Archaeologies: Oral Traditions and Later Karanga Settlements in South-Central Zimbabwe	243	(26)
Innocent Pikirayi
Chapter 10. Re-Constructing Tswana Townscapes: Toward a Critical Historical Archaeology	269	(32)
Paul Lane
Chapter 11. Access to Cattle Resources in a Tswana Capital	301	(24)
Andrew Reid
Chapter 12. Insiders and Outsiders: Sources for Reinterpreting a Historical Event	325	(22)
J.A. van Schalkwyk and B.W. Smith
Chapter 13. Navigating the Liminal: An Archaeological Perspective on South African Industrialization	347	(28)
Joanna Behrens
Chapter 14. African Historical Archaeology(ies): Past, Present and a Possible Future	375
Peter Robertshaw