The Influence of James Anquandah on the Development and Practice of Eclectic Archaeology in Ghana

Abstract

This paper elucidates the impact and influence that Professor James Anquandah’s work and efforts had on the development and practice of archaeology in Ghana. As the first Ghanaian-trained archaeologist, Anquandah committed his life and expertise to the establishment and consolidation of archaeological training in the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, at the University of Ghana. In doing so, he trained five generations of archaeology students over five decades. His passion for archaeological fieldwork, community participation in archaeology, and, ultimately, the use of eclectic archaeology in solving societal challenges has influenced the scholastic practices of many of the students he trained. In this paper, the coauthors explain how Anquandah’s concept and practice of eclectic archaeology has influenced their ongoing research projects in Ghana.