Historical East African Archaeology and Theory: A framework for historical archaeology and identity formation

Project Information

HEAAT

Grant agreement ID: 884702

DOI

10.3030/884702

Project closed

EC signature date 21 April 2020

Start date 13 September 2021

End date 14 February 2024

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 224 933,76

EU contribution

€ 224 933,76

Coordinated by

THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HEAAT (Historical East African Archaeology and Theory: A framework for historical archaeology and identity formation)

Reporting period: 2021-09-13 to 2023-09-12

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The project ‘Historical East African Archaeology and Theory: A framework for historical archaeology and identity formation’ (HEAAT) aimed to develop a multidisciplinary, theory-focused and data-driven framework and research agenda for East African historical archaeology. The central case study was based on a 200-year, high-resolution record of material culture and socio-cultural landscape history to investigate processes of identity formation and change among the Ilchamus community in Kenya’s Baringo County. The project and the research were managed and undertaken by the MSCA Fellow Dr Nik Petek-Sargeant out of the University of Cambridge (UoC).

Historical archaeological research remains less well established in Africa than in other parts of the world, especially in East Africa. There has been little investment in East Africa in archaeological theory, stifling critical dialogue over what historical archaeology should be and do, and how it can contribute to understanding the emergence of modern identities. However, recent advances point to the 19th century as being formative for reshaping identities. HEAAT tapped into these themes by amassing an extremely detailed record of socio-cultural and socio-ecological change in the Baringo region and East Africa more broadly that will lead to a better understanding of the social dynamics that formed contemporary communities. The project design and data collection were co-created with the Ilchamus, with the express goal of grounding in practice a new agenda for historical archaeology that privileges the internal dynamics of African societies and addresses issues communities see as pertinent.

HEAAT’s outcomes are important because they demonstrate the necessity of giving appropriate weight to the local dynamics from which modern social, economic, and political systems and relationships arose. It also shows how those histories would be incomplete without considering the material expressions of their identity, livelihoods, crafts and social structure and the changes they underwent. Finally, there is a need for an (East) African historical archaeology research framework and agenda, which puts at the forefront community interests and histories and builds a tangible bridge between ‘now’ and the communities' pasts.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The project was divided into 5 Work Packages (WP).

WP1 focused on training activities for the fellow which included training in ethnoarchaeological research, multivariate statistics, and studying advanced archaeological, historical, and anthropological theory (e.g. understanding collective action theory, symmetrical archaeology, materiality, etc.). The fellow also acquired numerous transferable skills, the Fellow of the Higher Education Academy qualification, and took on teaching roles.

WP2 focused on the collection of ethnographic, historical, and archaeological data on Baringo and its communities from museums, archives, and researchers in Europe and Kenya. The fellow visited 7 European institutions, collecting information on over 300 items. He also collected notes and data from 6 researchers who previously worked in Kenya's Baringo region. The fellow recorded and analysed the archaeological assemblage from the site Ilchamus Leabori. The data from WP2 allowed the fellow to aggregate information to produce a high-resolution record of material culture and identity change.

WP3 focused on the collection of ethnoarchaeological, ethnographic, and oral historical data. The objective was to extend the timeframe of available records to include the present. Moreover, WP3 was designed to engage the Ilchamus so the research can be co-created and the outputs co-owned. The fellow undertook 35 key informant and 4 focus group interviews, memory elicitation, and the recording of 19 production processes of traditional items and 5 traditional practices, 4 of which were distilled into shorter informative videos. The videos resulted in a new methodology of recording crafting knowledge that intertwines it with object biographies and histories, social structure, and ecologies.

WP4 centred on the exploitation, analysis and presentation of the spatial and chronological dimensions of the data using GIS and statistics. The fellow with Kenyan colleagues studied the impact of the 2013 and 2019 floods on the archaeology and heritage of the region, and will in the future discern spatial patterns in the distribution of features associated with households and personal presentation in the landscape and through time.

In WP5 the fellow reviewed theoretical literature on ethnogenesis and group dynamics in order to best elucidate the formation of modern East African identities. WP5 represented the culmination of HEAAT and the fellow was developing a theoretical framework and research agenda for historical archaeology tailored to the East African historical context. The fellow organised a conference, which discussed the legacy and impact of global archaeological theory that took inspiration from East African communities. He also designed and developed an exhibition. The exhibition has been lauded by the Ilchamus community.

Overall, the fellow organised numerous research events, and presented his work at 5 conferences. He is in the process of producing 3 manuscripts that are the result of HEAAT. He has produced numerous videos and documentaries that have been viewed over 7000 times, and his work has been reported in the news.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

HEAAT is in the process of developing a research agenda for historical archaeology in East Africa that will also have relevance for Africa in general, and broaden the discussion globally on what historical archaeology should do and be. It has developed a new methodology that makes knowledge of crafting traditional material culture accessible, while also providing the cultural context in which objects are made, used, and discarded. The project practically shows how to increase interest in the preservation of the past and build bridges between modern and past identities. The project will result in multiple publications, including an edited volume with world-renowned specialists in archaeological theory.

Moreover, as the Ilchamus community feel that they are experiencing a 'loss of culture and identity', this project has been essential strengthening the pride of being Ilchamus and belief that the culture will persist. This has been done successfully especially through the exhibition, while the project has been credited with increasing interest in traditional items and crafting. HEAAT established a link between the Ilchamus and Kabarnet museum, who are discussing the revival of a cultural centre and increasing Ilchamus representation at the museum. The materials created by the project (e.g. photographs, exhibition materials, videos) continue to be used during cultural events and for teaching.

Nik Petek-Sargeant discussing objects at the HEAAT exhibition

Namayana women's group providing feedback on documentaries