Postcolonialism, Heritage, and the Built Environment: New Approaches to Architecture in Archaeology

This book proposes new ways of looking at the built environment in archaeology, specifically through postcolonial perspectives. It brings together scholars and professionals from the fields of archaeology, urban studies, architectural history, and heritage in order to offer fresh perspectives on extracting and interpreting social and cultural information from architecture and monuments. The goal is to show how on-going critical engagement with the postcolonial critique can help archaeologists pursue more inclusive, sensitive, and nuanced interpretations of the built environment of the past and contribute to heritage discussions in the present. The chapters present case studies from Africa, Greece, Belgium, Australia, Syria, Kuala Lumpur, South Africa, and Chile, covering a wide range of chronological periods and settings. Through these diverse case studies, this volume encourages the reader to rethink the analytical frameworks and methods traditionally employed in the investigation of built spaces of the past. To the extent that these built spaces continue to shape identities and social relationships today, the book also encourages the reader to reflect critically on archaeologists’ ability to impact stakeholder communities and shape public perceptions of the past.

About the Author

Jessica L. Nitschke is an archaeologist and cultural historian. Her research focuses on the visual culture of Egypt and Western Asia in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. She is currently a Research Associate in the Department of Ancient Studies in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Marta Lorenzon is an archaeologist and architectural specialist of earthen architecture. Currently, she is University Researcher at the Centre of Excellence in Ancient Near Eastern Empires at the University of Helsinki. She is the PI of the project Building Sustainability (2020-2022) and assistant editor of the Journal of Community Archaeology and Heritage . Her current research focuses on earthen architecture, identity, and the relationship between natural and built environment.