Archaeology is generally seen as an innocuous, innocent, and objective academic pursuit in Western culture. Archaeologists, after all, excavate into the earth to unearth the remnants of past human activities and lives. In doing so, offering objective evidence for how the world was—so that we might better situate ourselves now and into our future.
But there is more to the story. Caught up with the colonial project in the Americas, Archaeology has propagated harmful narratives and played a major role in the erasure of Native people, their loss of sovereignty, and communal traumas. That is not to say the field of Archaeology does not hold great benefit for Native Communities—there is no doubt it does. The question becomes: who is the archaeological research for, how is it done, and for what ends?
In recent decades, Native-led research, Native scholars, Native archaeologists, and their associates have begun a revolution to decolonize archaeology and the future looks bright. Unearthed offers a look into this complexity as it is unfolding today, and a deeper view into the rich material culture excavated from Cache Cave. The materials shared here are shared with the collaboration and consent of the Tejon Indian Tribe.
"Visually captivating and with tremendous heart, Unearthed succeeds in portraying how Indigenous peoples’ struggles are ongoing and increasingly intersect in positive ways with archaeology and senses of place, both to reawaken and rejuvenate venerable cultural traditions." – Edward Jolie (Oglala Lakota/Hodulgee Muscogee), University of Arizona
Selected Screenings & Awards
Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI) Film Festival, UK, 2023
Society for Visual Anthropology Film & Media Festival, USA, 2022
Santa Barbara International Film Festival, USA, 2022
Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, USA, 2022
Durango Independent Film Festival, USA, 2022
Red National International Film Festival, USA, 2022
Ashland Independent Film Festival, USA, 2022
San Diego International Film Festival, USA, 2021
Mammoth Lakes International Film Festival (Premiere), USA, 2021