GREAT ZIMBABWE: Reclaiming a 'confiscated' past

Shadreck Chirikure

 

Synopsis

Conditioned by local ways of knowing and doing, Great Zimbabwe develops a new interpretation of the famous World Heritage site of Great Zimbabwe. It combines archaeological knowledge, including recent material from the author’s excavations, with native concepts and philosophies. Working from a large data set has made it possible, for the first time, to develop an archaeology of Great Zimbabwe that is informed by finds and observations from the entire site and wider landscape. In so doing, the book strongly contributes towards decolonising African and world archaeology. Written in accessible manner, the book is aimed at undergraduate students, graduate students, and practicing archaeologists both in Africa and across the globe.

Review

What is delivered is a refreshing and indeed original re-reading of Great Zimbabwe and its location in world archeology. Shamrock Chirikure deploys decolonial thought and indeed decolonial theory as he delves into indigenous African ideation to decolonise archaeology. This is a timely and essential book coming out at a moment of insurgent and resurgent planetary decolonisation. - Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni

Author

Shadreck Chirikure is an Associate Professor in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Cape Town. He obtained the degrees his PhD in Archaeology (2005) from the Institute of Archaeology, University College London.