Posted by Chester Morton / Friday, 28 April 2017 / No comments
The importance of archaeology to the study of African history
Introduction
The archaeological field involves the study of excavated objects from particular areas to be able to have an insight into how that particular society may have lived in the past. With the study of the objects excavated from the area, the historian is able to reconstruct the past of that community.
IMPORTANCE OF ARCHAEOLOGY
Used as a confirmation tool
One of the reasons why archaeology is important to the study of
African history is that, it helps to confirm the things have been said about
the history of the people in earlier times. For example, if there was a story
about a linkage between an Africa tribe and Europe, the discovery of an ancient
coin in the vicinity, can confirm that belief. This is especially so if a
Carbon-14 test is conducted and the date of the coin can be confirmed. The
converse is also true, where archaeology can disprove an earlier held belief.
It confirms the pre-existence of Africa
Archaeology is also important to the study of African history
because it helps to confirm that the African had a history before the first
contact with Europe. Archaeologists have been able to prove that the Early Stone
Age has links with the African continent.
Useful in the absence of other proofs
In the absence of any other evidence for the reconstruction
of African history, archaeology becomes useful as a tool to write the history of
Africa. In that sense, it is important to the study of African history.
Helps to discover ancient African civilizations
It is important to note that archaeology has, over the years,
been used to prove that man originated from Africa. Archaeologists have been
able to show evidence that the oldest man on planet earth is traceable to the African
continent. For this reason, the use of archaeology in the study of African
history is very crucial.
Exposes the rich culture of Africa
It is a fact that much of the information available about the
rich culture of Africa emanated from the evidenced pieced together by the work
of archaeologists. Some of the rich cultural practices of the continent of Africa
can now be traced to the rich culture of past African communities.
Adaptable to changes in lifestyles and environment
Archaeology is important because it shows how the African has
adapted to his or her environment over the millennia. In other words, the various
changes in life, climate and other conditions documented and how the African
has adapted to those changes over the years.
SOME LIMITATIONS OF
ARCHAEOLOGY AS A SOURCE OF AFRICAN HISTORY
Fear of unreliability
There is no exact way of preserving the knowledge acquired
from the findings of archaeology. This, therefore, raises the issue of the
reliability of facts assembled from archaeological findings. Since archaeology is
just a non-documentary source, the facts about archaeological sources may be
distorted.
Accuracy of information
The materials that are excavated by archaeologists have been buried
for several years to the point where they have suffered from wear and tear. The
disfiguring of the archaeological excavations may not allow for accurate
conclusions to be made.
Allows room for
conjecture
One other problem about the use of archaeology as a source of
African history is that archaeological findings are not conclusive enough to
arrive at accurate reconstruction of the history of a people. This, therefore,
leaves room for much conjecture by the historians which may affect the accuracy
of facts.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. Discuss how archeology and oral traditions help in the
writing of African history.
2. Show six ways in which archaeology helps the writing of
African history.
3. Explain six ways in which archaeology helps in the writing of
African history.
4. Outline the importance of archaeology as a source of
African history.
