Some commentary on and about Public Archaeology. Read what others have to say. Join this dialogue. Submit your ideas about Public Archaeology here.

Public Archaeology is…

…engaging the public in order to share archaeological findings and/or promote stewardship of cultural resources or to otherwise make archaeology relevant to society by providing the public with the means for constructing their own past….

…this growing field of archaeological research includes theoretical and practical work in archaeological heritage management (AHM), archaeological education, museum archaeology, the sociopolitics of archaeology, Cultural Resources Management (CRM), and a number of other arenas in which archaeologists and their publics interact….

                (Carol McDavid, (2002:2) From Real Space to Cyberspace: The Internet and Public Archaeological Practice. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Cambridge).


Public Archaeology is...

… a subfield of practice evolving exponentially.
… applied practice undertaken by educators with archaeology experience and or archaeologists with educational interests
… a sub-specialty of theoretical academic practice (e.g., Ph.D. dissertations, MA theses, taught courses and college/university programs)
… often required and or offered as a mitigation option in Cultural Resources Management.

As Public Archaeology matures, it increasingly involves hybrid professionals --
collaborative efforts done not by one archaeologist, one educator, or one institution but by a combination of any of these (e.g., individuals having formal training in both archaeology and K-12 education, formal interpretation training, public relations, etc.)

                Chair of the SAA Excellence in Public Education Award Committee (Patrice L. Jeppson) writing in the Committee Report to the Board, 2005.


Public Archaeology is...

    PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY, an international, peer-reviewed journal.

This journal is promoted by its publisher as “the only international, peer-reviewed journal to provide an arena for the growing debate surrounding archaeological and heritage issues as they relate to the wider world of politics, ethics, government, social questions, education, management, economics and philosophy. As a result, the journal includes ground-breaking research and insightful analysis on topics ranging from ethnicity, indigenous archaeology and cultural tourism to archaeological policies, public involvement and the antiquities trade. Key issues covered include the sale of unprovenanced and frequently looted antiquities, the relationship between emerging modern nationalism and the profession of archaeology, privitization of the profession, human rights and, in particular, the rights of indigenous populations with respect to their sites and, material relics representation of archaeology in the media, the law on portable finds or treasure troves, archaeologist as an instrument of state power, or catalyst to local resistance to the state. Public Archaeology is for all those who wish to take part, keep themselves informed, or build on a keen interest in the field, including: archaeologists, cultural historians, cultural economists, heritage managers, specialist journalists, political commentators, leisure and tourist operators, private consultancies, national and international lawyers and conservationists as well as those responsible for university courses in museum studies, heritage management, politics, anthropology and law.”

Public Archaeology Volume 6, Number 4, Winter 2007

Public Archaeology Volume 6, Number 3, Autumn 2007

Public Archaeology Volume 6, Number 2, Summer 2007

Public Archaeology Volume 6, Number 1, Spring 2007

 

Public Archaeology is…

        Careers in Archaeology Education -- an SAA Public Education Committee Handout
        
        This handout produced by the SAA Public Education Committee for use at a CRM Expo in 2005 presents a pragmatic look at some career paths in Public Archaeology -- namely Archaeology Education jobs. Read the response to this handout written by Carol McDavid.

Public Archaeology is…

"Public Archaeology is a branch of modern archaeology that focuses on increasing public awareness and education about archaeology. A goal of Public Archaeology is the preservation of the fragile sites of our prehistoric and historic past that are being destroyed at an alarming rate through natural process and development."

                        Florida Public Archaeology Network (University of West Florida) web page, accessed April, 2007.

  

Public Archaeology is… A plea for Community Archaeology

A paper by Barbara Betz posted on the Saving Antiquities for Everyone website provides a very good definition of community archaeology:

"What is community archaeology? The most basic, widely applicable definition of community archaeology is that given by archaeologist Stephane Moser of the University of Southhampton in England: it is the practice of archaeological research in which “at every step in a project at least partial control remains with the community.” Packed within this definition are many implications and variations from project to project. This is to be expected in a technique that has emerged more or less independently in projects all over the world and which, by nature, must be highly reflexive and responsive to each particular archaeological site and its associated communities. There are, however, some factors common to all community archaeology projects: an emphasis on multivocality and genuine, two-way dialogue between archaeologists and the affected public, and an investment in empowering involved communities in political, social, and/or material ways.On the face of it, relinquishing total control over a project in this way may seem like a risky proposition that goes above and beyond an archaeologist’s call of duty and endangers scientific objectivity in the process. Yet current archaeological practice is riddled with problems and it is clear from several case studies that community archaeology is not only necessary but actually beneficial to all involved – including the archaeologists and their research."
 
Betz' full article, Putting the past to use: A plea for community archaeology, can be found here at SAFE

Sample Public Archaeology Job Description

These job specs reveal the evolution of the speciality of Public Archaeology and also indicate, to an extent, the locations where Public Archaeology is flourishing. This is not a comprehensive list. Please submit any examples you may know of for this list here .

Updated 07/26/2008