Incorporating Native American Philosophies and Ontologies in Archaeological Practice

Archaeologists increasingly rely on philosophical principles, as evidenced in the Ontological Turn, yet often only engage Western philosophers, which is unfortunate as Indigenous scholars, particularly Native American authors, have provided alternatives applicable to archaeological research. Within this volume, we introduce readers to Native American scholars whose work we apply to major topics in archaeology, including landscapes and knowledge, kinship and extended personhood, and cosmology and ceremonial practices. By contrasting with traditional, Western-based interpretive approaches, we demonstrate the transformative potential of relying on Native American philosophers not only in terms of better understanding the archaeological record but also in how archaeologists and practitioners approach issues such as repatriation, archaeological collections care and handling, and sovereignty. In all, this volume presents a powerful new approach to archaeological research that provides readers with an introduction to Native American philosophers, relevant case studies, and real-world examples that they can use in their own works.