Heritage, Communities And Archaeology (duckworth Debates In Archaeology)
by Emma Waterton /
2009 / English / PDF
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This book traces the development of 'community archaeology',
identifying both its advantages and disadvantages by describing
how and why tensions have arisen between archaeological and
community understandings of the past. The focus of this book is
the conceptual disjunction between heritage and data and the
problems this poses for both archaeologists and communities in
communicating and engaging with each other. In order to explain
the extent of the miscommunication that can occur, the authors
examine the ways in which a range of community groups, including
communities of expertise, define and negotiate memory and
identity. Importantly, they explore the ways in which these
expressions are used, or are taken up, in struggles over cultural
recognition - and ultimately, the practical, ethical, political
and theoretical implications this has for archaeologists engaging
in community work. Finally, they argue that there are very real
advantages for archaeological research, theory and practice to be
gained from engaging with communities.
This book traces the development of 'community archaeology',
identifying both its advantages and disadvantages by describing
how and why tensions have arisen between archaeological and
community understandings of the past. The focus of this book is
the conceptual disjunction between heritage and data and the
problems this poses for both archaeologists and communities in
communicating and engaging with each other. In order to explain
the extent of the miscommunication that can occur, the authors
examine the ways in which a range of community groups, including
communities of expertise, define and negotiate memory and
identity. Importantly, they explore the ways in which these
expressions are used, or are taken up, in struggles over cultural
recognition - and ultimately, the practical, ethical, political
and theoretical implications this has for archaeologists engaging
in community work. Finally, they argue that there are very real
advantages for archaeological research, theory and practice to be
gained from engaging with communities.
