African Archaeology Lab
Investigating Africa’s past, rethinking its futures
The African Archaeology Lab at Queens College, CUNY, directed by Dr. Robert T. Nyamushosho, investigates African archaeology, early state formation and urbanism, anthropology of technology, heritage interpretation, landscape histories, and decolonial approaches to knowledge production..
About the Lab
The African Archaeology Lab examines the histories, landscapes, technologies, and heritage of African societies, with a particular focus on Southern Africa. Our research combines archaeological investigation, historical inquiry, and critical heritage studies to understand how past communities shaped their worlds and how those histories continue to matter today.
Research Themes
Early State Formation & Urbanism
Investigating the development of complex societies, political institutions, and urban centers in Southern Africa.
Anthropology of Technology
Exploring innovation, craft production, knowledge transmission, and material culture.
Heritage & Representation
Examining how African heritage is interpreted, preserved, and communicated.
Decolonial Archaeology
Centering African perspectives and critically examining the politics of archaeological knowledge production.
Lab Director
Dr. Robert T. Nyamushosho
Director, African Archaeology Lab
Queens College, CUNY
Dr. Robert T. Nyamushosho is an archaeologist whose research focuses on African archaeology, early state formation and urbanism, anthropology of technology, precolonial African networks, heritage studies, and decolonial approaches to archaeological knowledge production. His work examines the historical trajectories of African societies, particularly in Southern Africa, while exploring broader questions of heritage, representation, and knowledge production.
African Archaeology Lab 