Archaeology, Eurocentrism, and Postcolonialism: A Study from Quebec City

Quebec City has a rich archaeological heritage. Major projects over the past few decades have documented the city’s colonial past and been a model of urban archaeology, but have not addressed the question of colonialism or the instrumentalization of heritage for political legitimization. Archaeology in Quebec has yet to consider the nationalist character of research. Two recent projects illustrate the consequences of colonialist ideology on decisions made by archaeologists and authorities. Analysis at the project level shows that site interpretation has been integrated into a continental honors list of “first” sites associated with the city’s UNESCO World Heritage status. A postcolonial approach is emerging, but the amendments made to the Cultural Heritage Act indicate that archaeological practice is still influenced by a neoliberal, colonialist ideology. I suggest that a postcolonialist approach should include a reevaluation of the province’s history in order to develop collaborative and inclusive heritage practices.