Marie-Louise Winbladh. 2025. Archaeology as a weapon: long-lasting legacies of colonialism and nationalism in Israel, Palestine, Cyprus and Greece. Wilmington (DE): Vernon; 979-8-8819-0273-5 hardback £72.

Key Points

• The aim is to examine how archaeology has been used as a tool for reinforcing colonial and nationalist narratives in specific regions.
• Literature review on archaeological practices in Israel, Palestine, Cyprus, and Greece
• Analysis of historical contexts of archaeology and its socio-political implications
• Case studies focusing on specific archaeological sites and their uses in nationalist discourses
• Identified significant instances where archaeology bolstered colonial claims
• Highlighted the role of archaeology in shaping national identities
• Demonstrated ongoing conflicts arising from competing historical narratives