Archaeology and the Narratives of Iceland’s Past : Materializing the Nation

Archaeology has long been entangled with nationalist and colonial narratives, shaping and reshaping identities through material culture. This book investigates the entanglement of archaeology with nationalism and its role in shaping Icelandic identity.

Archaeology has long been entangled with nationalist and colonial narratives, shaping and reshaping identities through material culture. This book investigates the entanglement of archaeology with nationalism and its role in shaping Icelandic identity. Drawing on four case studies, it examines archaeological remains, historical sources, and ethnological materials. It reveals how material culture has been used to reinforce nationalist narratives while also offering a framework to challenge them. By focusing on the intersection of materials, discourses, and histories, the book uncovers how archaeology has been implicated in a colonial-cum-nationalist rhetoric, influencing modern interpretations of the past. It also highlights how the field can be used to deconstruct entrenched national myths and open up new avenues of enquiry. Archaeology and the Narratives of Iceland’s Past will inform scholars and students across archaeology, history, and anthropology, while encouraging a broader public awareness of the complex relationship between material culture and national identity.