Book Review: Community Archaeology and Heritage in Africa: Decolonizing Practice

Reviewed: Community Archaeology and Heritage in Africa: Decolonizing Practice . PETER R. SCHMIDT and INNOCENT PIKIRAYI , editors. 2016. Routledge , New York . 324 pp. $44.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-11-3865685-7. Emerging from a seminar at the University of Florida in 2015, this edited volume joins important conversations about decolonizing archaeological practice with a diverse set of African case studies. An introductory chapter by Pikirayi and Schmidt first addresses the persistence of a colonial "top-down" paradigm wherein scholars and state-level actors dictate the terms of research questions, methods, and outcomes. In contrast, they advocate "bottom-up" approaches to community archaeology involving (a) the recognition of indigenous methodologies for interpreting and valorizing heritage, and (b) the development of equitable partnerships between professional archaeologists and interested communities. These two themes are then a common point of departure for 10 chapters reflecting on the circumstances, strategies, and challenges of implementing community archaeology across Africa.