The Archaeological Potential for Reconstructing the History of Labor Relations in East Africa, c. 1500–1900

Bibliographic Data

ID9348159
AuthorsPaul Lane (0000-0002-9936-1310, Uppsala University, corresponding author), Paul J Lane
Year2014
Volume41
Pages277-306
Publication date2014-04-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHistory in Africa (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0361-5413 • E-ISSN: 1558-2744
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/hia.2014.10
OpenAlexW2034255275
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited60

Previous studies of past labor relations in different parts of Africa have relied almost entirely on documentary sources. While such records can provide valuable insights into the range of different labor categories that have existed and the relative proportions of the population involved, for much of the continent they are severely restricted in a temporal sense. Thus, for many areas suitable documentary materials covering the periods prior to 1850 are scarce; as is the case, for example, for much of East Africa. To extend scholarly understanding of the nature of labor relations prior to this date, alternative sources need to be utilized. This paper presents a brief overview of the potential scope for utilizing archaeological data, with specific reference to mainland Tanzania. The paper also highlights the many limitations of archaeological data and offers some thoughts on how these might be addressed from both a conceptual and methodological perspective. The paper concludes with an appeal for more studies oriented toward investigation of the archaeological remains of the last five hundred years and greater dialogue between the region’s historians and archaeologists

Appeal · Archaeological evidence · Archaeological record · Archaeology · Art · Ethnology · Geography · Mainland · Perspective (graphical · Political science · Population · Scope (computer science · Sociology · Tanzania · African history and culture studies · Colonialism, slavery, and trade · Demography · Global Maritime and Colonial Histories · History · Law

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