Paper short abstract:

This paper critically examines the political, social and institutional settings in which archaeology was introduced in Namibia. I re-examine professionalised, academic and administrative archaeologies and argue that the colonial origins of archaeology have an effect on the current practices.

Paper long abstract:

This paper critically examine the political, social and institutional settings in which archaeology was introduced and continues to be practiced in the Namibia. Archaeology developed alongside colonialism in Africa. It became an apparatus for knowing about the strategic resources that could be found in Namibia. Through the processes of recording sites and artefacts archaeology provided information that was useful to the colonial administration. However, the narratives that were produced about Namibia excluded the perspectives of the local people. I re-examine professionalised, academic and administrative archaeologies in Namibia and argue that to a greater extent the colonial origins of archaeology have a compelling footprint in the current practices of Archaeology in the country. I therefore, argue for a reframed archaeological practice that recognises the experience and knowledge of the local communities as a way of decolonising archaeology in Namibia. Such an archaeological practice is socially engaged and challenges the authority of the professional.