Includes index.

Robin Derricourt's "Inventing Africa" critically examines the historical and archaeological narratives that have shaped perceptions of Africa, revealing how selective interpretations and misrepresentations have constructed alluring but often misleading images of the continent's past. Drawing parallels to Said's "Orientalism," Derricourt exposes the dangers of simplifying Africa's complex history, highlighting how narratives from ancient Mediterranean worlds to contemporary political elites have perpetuated stereotypes and imposed grand narratives, ultimately arguing for a more nuanced and accurate understanding of Africa's rich and diverse heritage, and challenging the ways in which ambitious ideas can both illuminate and oppress.