Nationalism and Archaeology: the political context of our discipline.

Abstract

This article discusses how present identities, and in particular nationalism, influence the way in which we think about the past. As I will argue, archaeological endeavour cannot be understood outside its sociopolitical context in which present identities play a crucial role. The emergence of archaeology as a professional discipline was closely related to the success of nationalism as a political option to sustain the modem state. Archaeology was, thus, transformed from an erudite enterprise to a professional discipline in a specific political context ruled by the success of nationalist ideology. I will contrast archaeological practice with nationalism in its various periods. . Despite changes in nationalism, it still maintains its importance in an analysis of current developments in world archaeology. In this light I will discuss the integration of indigenous communities into the management of the past.