A Historical Archaeology of Capitalism

Abstract

Practitioners of historical archaeology can define the impact of ideology (as in Althusser) and disciplines of the self (as in Foucault), thus contributing to the study of capitalism in local historical situations. In describing the origins of modern conditions of exploitation, archaeologists can help to educate those exploited. In the Chesapeake region, historical archaeology has been used to create a more direct tie with the present than is usually the case, a tie that may serve to redistribute the power to interpret the past.

Historical Archaeologies of the American West

“…The major theoretical paradigms driving historical archaeological studies in general have spanned the symbolic (Deetz 1977) and commercial dimensions of material culture (Leone 1995), with much of the field emphasizing archaeologies of capitalism. Despite the Eurocentric nature of the study of capitalism (Orser 2010(Orser , p. 114, 2012, it is nearly impossible to overlook the power of industrial capitalism in the American West, especially considering such topics as extractive industries, labor, transportation, and communication (cf.…”

La Minería De La Sal Durante El Siglo Xx en San Pedro De Atacama, Chile (Ii Región): Entre La Explotación Artesanal Y La Industrialización

“…Como ya lo hemos señalado, las comunidades indígenas se introdujeron en el nuevo sistema económico, primero como fuerza de trabajo en labores subsidiarias de la industria minera y, luego, como fuerza de trabajo en labores industriales propiamente tales y cada vez más diversificadas. El rol de la ideología (sensu Althusser en Leone 1985) es fundamental para entender los modos en que la población atacameña fue negociando el advenimiento de la modernidad que trajo consigo el capital. La misma conexión pasado-presente es una manifestación de la ideología, que en el caso del período de expansión capitalista habla de los intereses de una clase específica, sea social (poder económico), estatal (poder político) o académica (poder del conocimiento) (Foucault 1980;Leone 1999).…”

Community Organizing in Public Archaeology: Coalitions for the Preservation of a Hidden History in Florida

“…But as McGuire (2005:21) has noted, archaeology is a "weak weapon for political action." In evaluations of their vigorous public archaeology programs, Chidester and Gadsby (2009) and Leone (1995) express disappointment in their critical endeavors as public archaeologists; recently Leone (2005) points to his collaborative partnership as an answer to the question of audience for critical archaeological insights, but in the Bradenton case study the collaborations were in place and positive; the concern was an immediate threat to the potential of a property to reveal a hidden history. More publicity and more outreach are appropriate answers for public archaeology but are unlikely to be successful in a place like Bradenton where the descendants and the history are far removed from the current local community.…”