Do you even know what public archaeology is? Trends, theory, practice, ethics

Abstract

Archaeology is a discipline influenced by emerging cultural trends, especially with regard to theoretical approaches to interpretation and practice. Public archaeology is a relatively young approach, still finding its feet, and loose definitions of it have opened the door to multiple perspectives and opportunities. When research agendas include the issue of public engagement, we need to approach our practices critically from the beginning, and consider the consequences of ‘doing’ public archaeology. Moving beyond an understanding of the theoretical backdrop to our work, we first need to situate our work socially, politically and economically. This article will bring necessary critique to some current trends in public archaeology, proposing that commitment to sustainability, inclusivity and ethics are the basis for a responsible practice.

Keywords:

• Public archaeology
• ethics
• theory
• practice
• politics
• economy

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Notes on contributors

Lorna-Jane Richardson

Dr Lorna-Jane Richardson is a research associate of the UCL Centre for Digital Humanities and her research focuses on the use of social media in archaeology. She recently obtained her PhD at UCL in public archaeology and has extensive experience in the field.

Jaime Almansa-Sánchez

Jaime Almansa-Sánchez is founder and manager of JAS Arqueología S.L.U., a commercial firm devoted to public archaeology. His research focuses on archaeological management and public archaeology. He is editor of AP: Online Journal in Public Archaeology.