A decolonial archaeology of refusal, care and repair

The discussion on decolonisation is now happening everywhere, yet it should be remembered that this outcome is the result of decades-old struggles and that the prominence of this quest is owed to the broader social movements of the preceding century. Here, the author explores the implications for archaeology, suggesting a shift of emphasis from colonisation to coloniality. The principle that decolonisation should entail substantive material and structural changes is proposed as a necessary starting point. In moving forward, the author argues that our efforts to build a decolonial archaeology should be guided by the concepts of refusal, care and repair.