Archaeology, Ethno‐history and Oral Traditions: Approaches to the Indigenous Past

Abstract

Indigenous groups across the world are actively looking to maintain or rediscover their past. Many historians and archaeologists are sympathetic to their quest. As a result different ways of narrating the past are in action: oral tradition, ethno‐history and archaeology.

In the following the potential of each approach is discussed. In particular the possibility for collaboration between indigenous approaches and academic disciplines is evaluated. The focus is on the interpretative narrative, rather than on cultural heritage management. It is argued that we need multivocality as well as collaboration and integration of narratives.

Acknowledgements

This paper has developed from a presentation at a session on the archaeology of the subaltern at WAC in Cape Town 1999. I am grateful to Paul Lane and Andrew Reid for organising the session and for their valuable comments on earlier versions of this paper. Two referees have provided constructive suggestions, for which I am most thankful.