This volume investigates the fundamental question of how archaeological theory and practice can be restructured to incorporate Indigenous perspectives and decolonize the discipline. Editors Claire Smith and H. Martin Wobst compile contributions from international scholars to challenge traditional Western-centric methodologies. The text argues for a collaborative framework that prioritizes the rights, knowledge, and agency of Indigenous peoples in the management and interpretation of their own cultural heritage.

Experts identify this text as a foundational resource for students and professionals seeking to understand the intersection of social justice and archaeological science. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous guide for shifting disciplinary standards toward more inclusive and ethical research models.