In this timely and wide-ranging book, R. E. Burrillo examines the history of American archaeology and the myths that have shaped public understanding of the field. Engaging, sharp, and often funny, American Archaeology argues for a more honest, inclusive discipline, one that recognizes archaeology’s colonial entanglements while centering Indigenous communities as collaborators rather than afterthoughts. Drawing on his experience in field archaeology, graduate school, conservation, and cultural preservation, Burrillo offers an insider critique of the discipline’s history, institutions, and future.
Although the subject matter is substantial, Burrillo’s lively voice keeps the book accessible. He is especially strong on the pressures archaeology now faces, including commercialization, misrepresentation, and the political distortion of history. The result is an energetic, thoughtful book that ultimately argues for better scholarship, greater accountability, and a clearer sense of whom archaeology serves. The volume also includes further-reading suggestions and appendices on terminology and Visit with Respect, a public-education initiative that encourages respectful visitation of cultural sites.
