Decolonizing History in Africa

Within the field of archaeology, scholars have recently worked toward "decolonizing" archaeology and historical narratives in order to focus on indigenous histories to better understand colonial contexts and to counter the dominance of imperial or "western" ideologies. What does that mean? Previously, archaeological and historical interpretations have been shaped by European/western beliefs, assumptions, and categories. Even after independence, many African countries were still subject to western influence or control. Decolonizing archaeology (and history) seeks to uncover knowledge and developments that were invisible, misinterpreted, or unacknowledged under colonial rule. For example, many historians and archaeologists often assumed Africa was "uncivilized" and lacked sophsticated culture or history. When they did come across something impressive (like Great Zimbabwe or the Benin Bronzes), they assumed they could not possibly have been created by Africans, and instead looked for alternative explanations. Much of the history of Africa was written by European historians viewing Africa through the lens of colonialism, shaping a misguided view that Africa was backward or lacked true “civilization."