Nationalism and Archeology

The author poses a question about the connection between archeology and the ideology of nationalism. Defining nationalism as ideology and social practice that makes nation a subject of politics and give priority to the national interests over all others, he argues that the value of archeology for nationalism is determined by its ability to provide material evidence of long cultural continuity and real ties with the ancestors. This renders the issue of archeologists' responsibility and role in "forming identities" in a rather new way, since we are now dealing with "multiple pasts." It becomes especially complicated when contested territories or struggle for historical heritage come into play, as in the case when neighboring groups compete for the ancient heritage, each trying to ascribe local archeological remnants to their own ancestors.