Decolonizing Archaeological Methodologies: Critical Reflection on Western Frameworks in Interpreting Indigenous Sites in Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Abstract

This paper examines the persistent colonial legacies embedded within contemporary archaeological methodologies and their impact on the interpretation of indigenous sites across Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. Through critical analysis of epistemological assumptions underpinning Western archaeological frameworks, this research demonstrates how these approaches often marginalize indigenous knowledge systems and perpetuate power imbalances in knowledge production. The paper argues that meaningful decolonization of archaeological practice requires more than superficial inclusion of indigenous perspectives; rather, it necessitates fundamental restructuring of disciplinary methodologies and theoretical foundations. By analyzing case studies from regions with distinct colonial histories, this research identifies emerging decolonial methodologies that center indigenous ontologies, challenge extractive research models, and reconceptualize the relationship between archaeologists, indigenous communities, and material heritage. The implications extend beyond academic discourse to ethics, heritage management policies, and the broader politics of knowledge production in a postcolonial context. This theoretical contribution provides a framework for archaeological practice that embraces epistemic plurality while confronting the discipline's colonial entanglements.