THE RELEVANCE OF ARCHAEOLOGY IN AFRICAN HISTORICAL RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract

This paper examined the significance of archaeology - one of the sources of historical information - in the reconstruction of African history. It began by giving a general overview of the sources of history from the Afro-centric perspective, to debunk most of the Euro-centric misconceptions about African history. Being a qualitative-dominant research, data was culled mainly from secondary sources and the historical method of analysis was adopted. We argue that though the study and practice of African archaeology is still inundated with colonial theories and methods such that the results of investigations are not entirely African-oriented, African archaeologists should work toward evolving paradigms, theories and methods that are indigenous and congruent with the African milieu, de-linking the continent from every alien vestiges and, thus aid African historians in the production of authentic African history. Such measure will go a long way in the task of decolonising African history.