Gatekeepers, geographies, and access in the archaeology of West Asia

Abstract

Forty-five years ago, E. W. Said (Orientalism [London: Penguin 1995 (1978)]) famously decried disciplines studying the past and present ‘east’. He argued that oriental studies, ranging from those studying Arabic to Archaeology, were involved in a project of control, appropriation, and alienation of the cultural and linguistic heritage of (formerly) dominated countries in Asia. Nearly half a century later it is pertinent to ask the uneasy question whether Said’s critique remains valid today. What is the power relation at present between archaeologists from the rich formerly colonial states (especially Western Europe and the USA), and their colleagues living in West Asia?

Here, I will critically assess the status quo in the archaeology of West Asia, and ask to what degree the field remains dominated by western scholars. After a discussion of the current dynamics of the relationship between foreign and regional participants in the archaeology of West Asia, I will evaluate who holds power in this field of archaeology by assessing: first, the composition of committees of key organizations in the study of the ancient West Asia; second, where major congress meetings take place; third, who organizes these meetings; fourth, who sits on the editorial boards of a number of leading journals; and, fifth, how well accessible key publications of West Asian archaeology are. The results suggests that, after nearly half a century Said’s critique has not lost its sting.