open access

https://doi.org/10.14943/97170

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/80891

Historical Background of Indigenous archaeology and Common Issues : a case in the United States

日本語

返還・再埋葬

2021-03-01

北海道大学アイヌ・先住民研究センター

Aynu Teetawanoankur Kanpinuye

1

121-143

The overarching goal of Indigenous Archaeology is one of the applied archaeological information and material heritage from the perspective of Indigenous peoples and descendant communities. Indigenous Archaeology was originally developed in North America and Oceania, and emerged from 1960's as a part of wilder movement to restore rights to Indigenous peoples. The driving forces for the establishment of Indigenous Archaeology were efforts to overcome the influence and legacy of imperialism, racism, and colonialism, which were deeply rooted in traditional cultural historical archaeology, and to some extent, in efforts to create processual New Archaeology. In the intervening decades, much progress has been made. Archaeologists working in the 21st century now routinely discusses cultural heritage management, the politics of interpretation, ethical stewardship, indigeneity, and the decolonization of archaeological practices. As a result of these changing circumstances, Indigenous Archaeology has now become a central theme in global archaeological theory and practice. The purpose of this paper is to first reflect on the historical background of Indigenous Archaeology in the English-speaking countries, and to highlight the common issues and developments that unite this discipline. For example, the history of archaeology and Indigenous peoples in the United States illustrates that the process of establishing a conservation system for Indigenous heritage was only possible after that the movement for restoration of basic Indigenous rights has been successful. In contrast, in East Asia, including Japan, the relationship between the recognition of Indigenous rights and the establishment of Indigenous Archaeology is less well still understood, despite the fact that the local situation has many similarities with other parts of the world. This paper highlights the need to find common solutions to these universal issues, rather than to present them as specific problems that are unique to practical countries. Highlighting the universal nature of these issues also emphasis their urgency, and that they need to be resolved within the current generation. Finally, the paper also argues that Indigenous cultures persist and also change, and so should not be stereotyped. The capacity to interpret and the utilize heritage and archaeological information as a part of a living cultural tradition is also an important rights and properties for Indigenous communities. In conclusion, finding effective ways to ensure deeper Indigenous participation in the full process of heritage research, management and conservation is an urgent requirement.

紀要論文

Version of Record

2436-1763