Heritage, Communities and Archaeology
Laurajane Smith author Emma Waterton author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:15th Jan '09
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
Traces the development of 'community archaeology', identifying advantages and disadvantages, and why tensions have arisen between archaeological and community readings of the past
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.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.
ISBN: 9780715636817
Dimensions: 216mm x 135mm x 15mm
Weight: 235g
144 pages