Disputing the Past: Challenging Archaeology's Role

Summary

The topic of Archaeology Awareness Month “Who Owns the Past?” is most perplexing. As an archaeologist, I have been trained to respect the past, both by trying to explore it through archaeological research and to protect it from the depredations of looting, construction and other forces that destroy its remains. Like many of my colleagues, I have understood the archaeological past to be a public heritage, one that no one could own. However, through a quarter-century professional career in archaeology on the Great Plains, I have come to find many who are not archaeologists simply do not accept these professional beliefs.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Wyoming Archaeologist 1999

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Marcia Peterson

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