ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with archaeological research carried out in areas where one finds traditional non-Western societies, in particular societies in which indigenous histories play a critical role in the creation and re-creation of social structures. If the archaeologist ignores the concerns and beliefs of local populations, he or she risks a misunderstanding on the part of both the archaeologist and the local people. This misunderstanding can result in a loss of time and information, and in more serious instances it can result in refusals by local populations to allow research to be undertaken in their areas. Given that an interest in history and the roots of cultural traditions is not the exclusive preoccupation of archaeologists, but can be a legitimate concern of any cultural group, there should be means to effect a complementarity of information and effort on the part of both archaeologists and local populations. Our research in the Mitongoa-Andrainjato area of Madagascar in 1984 and 1985 allowed us to appreciate the role that oral traditions can play in archaeological research (Kus 1984), and the responsibility that archaeologists have towards the communities that allow them to study their history and prehistory.
