ABSTRACT

This conclusion presents some closing thoughts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. The book examines a semantic and conceptual shift in characterizing the archaeology they aspire to develop. It defines activist archaeology as doing research in dialogue, collaboration, and alliance with communities on topics that affect the lives of community members. The book explains the move from activist to transformative archaeology came, in part, from dissatisfaction with archaeological discourse that conflates consultation with true collaboration. It examines archaeology as an instrument of State power conjoined with the interests of archaeologists in perpetuating a livelihood based on extracting and using the material remnants of the past. The book defines activist archaeology as indigenous archaeology aimed at redressing the legacy of colonialism by expanding practice and theory to develop equitable uses of cultural heritage. It explains that activist archaeology is an agent of change, and something that can be intentionally and consciously used for advocacy.