Rethinking Colonialism attempts to bring New World and Old World archaeology into dialogue, exploring past practices as well as contemporary consequences in the study of colonialism. It represents a significant step forward within the discipline of archaeology by releasing colonialism from the traditional geographical and temporal boundaries that often characterize conventional research. Furthermore, the book has the additional benefit of revealing the unintended consequences of traditional ideas about the past on contemporary peoples. Its comparison across geographical and temporal regions, along with its emphasis on the contemporary impacts of archaeological research, is a valuable contribution in its own right.
The methodologies that the contributors employ include analyses of material culture, built heritage, grave markers, geography, ethnography, and historical records—depending on their specific interests and specialties. For example, Cipolla examines grave markers, built heritage, material culture, and written documents to explore the reasons for changes within the Pequot and Brothertown communities....