Should early medieval archaeology rethink its nomenclature?
A row has blown up in an academic field known for the study of early literature, fine crafts, weaponry and migrations: Anglo-Saxon England. The term “AngloSaxon”, some say, should be dropped, as racist and divisive. Ten archaeologists and historians reveal their take
Election campaigns never go without the odd hitch. In 2012 Mitt Romney hoped to become president of the United States. The Daily Telegraph reported that an aide had said that Romney’s “Anglo-Saxon heritage” gave him a better understanding of us and uk “shared history” than Barack Obama. Romney’s team, accused of racism, denied the comment. The discourse is less subtle today. Earlier this year a politician excused president Trump from accusations of racism by identifying as a person of colour himself – “I’m white. I’m an Anglo-Saxon.”
“Anglo-Saxon” has two meanings: one historically and geographically specific, and favoured by academics over the still popular “Dark Ages”, the other referring to a modern transatlantic culture or the wider English-speaking world. The latter’s elision with a notion of white racial superiority has been traced back to 16th-century England, was empowered at the height of the British Empire and in 19th-century America, and is today explicit in white supremacist speech, especially outside the uk; some farright groups appropriate medieval nomenclautre and imagery (Spoilheap Nov/Dec 2019/169).
This has become more than a theoretical divide. In 2017 the International Society of AngloSaxonists ( isas) met in Hawaii to consider “global perspectives”. Adam Miyashiro, an Asian-Polynesian medievalist, complained that the conference did not address a “racist understanding of the term ‘AngloSaxon’”. This September Mary Rambaran-Olm, isas second vicepresident, resigned at a meeting in Washington. isas had refused to change its name. Further resignations followed, abusive arguments occurred on social media, and isas voted for a name change, not yet implemented.
The debate has troubled uk academics. Should “Anglo-Saxon” be dropped in a field where it appears in everything from journal titles to excavated house-types? Would doing so be giving in to extremists? Why does it matter? British Archaeology asked many of those who have blogged or spoken on the subject for comment. Several declined for fear of further abuse on social media. We are especially grateful to those who have contributed to this special feature, thoughtfully expressing a range of views. We make no judgment, but welcome your comments on a matter of public interest. We start with those who would drop “Anglo-Saxon”.