CONTRACT ARCHAEOLOGY, INTERNAL COLONIALISM AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN BRAZIL

Abstract

This paper analyzes the relationship between Contract Archaeology, internal colonialism and indigenous peoples in Brazil from 1990s on. The discussion is based on studies that have been developed in the Centro-Oeste Region, especially in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. In thisregion the rights of indigenous peoples have suffered from various forms of violation as is the case of the usurpation of their traditional territories. In such a context, CRM Archaeology has been used for environmental impact studies for large scale projects that have affected theterritories and the ways of life of many indigenous communities. CRM Archaeology has been contested in the judicial system for the production of inconsistent reports, junk science style, because it has defended the interests of those contrary to the legalization of indigenous territories in this part of South America.Keywords: Archaeology of colonialism; CRM archaeology in Brazil; indigenousrights; internal colonialism; indigenous peoples of Brazil.