Public Perceptions of Archaeology

Part of: Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Since the beginning of public archaeology, we, as archaeologists, have held both legal and ethical obligations to share information with the public in a way that promotes understanding and appreciation in a shared heritage. The development of various public heritage education and stewardship initiatives, such as Project Archaeology, USFS's Passport in Time, and Archaeology in the Community, has begun to provide archaeologists with thoughts on how to meet both legal and ethical obligations. Yet, we, as archaeologists, are increasingly asked to justify to the public the value in and importance of stewardship of the archaeological record. Although, many public perceptions of archaeology still dictate who archaeologists engage with, the use of the term and how we view the “public” varies. Understanding the needs and interests of the many publics interested in archaeology will help us understand the obstacles we face in sharing information. In this symposium we will explore innovative approaches and best practices for sharing information through various engaging public initiatives.

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  • Documents (14)

Documents
  1. The Countless Perceptions of Archaeology in Archaeological Societies: A Case Study Involving the Oklahoma Anthropological Society (2015)
  2. Engaging the Public Through Women's Emergence in Archaeology (2015)
  3. Experiencing the Past through "Digifacts" (2015)
  4. Keeping Up with the Times: Evolving Programs and Publics (2015)
  5. Learn by Doing: Sharpening Understanding of Archeologists and Sites Among Diverse Publics with Hands On Activities in Arkansas (2015)
  6. Learning heritage while teaching archaeology at Tahcabo, Yucatán: archaeologists’ perspectives on the opportunities and risks of local community engagement (2015)
  7. Moctezuma, King David, and a Gentile Meet on a Mountain: Religious Factionalism and Indigenous Perceptions of Archaeological Sites, Archaeology, and Archaeologists (2015)
  8. The Pros and Cons of "Public Archaeology Days" (2015)
  9. Public Perceptions of Archaeology and its Impact on Archaeological Resource Preservation: A Case Study from Western Canada (2015)
  10. The Public Swinging Detectors: Interaction With Professional Archaeologists (2015)
  11. Shifting Perceptions of Local Heritage: Community Archaeology in Aguacate village, Toledo district, southern Belize (2015)
  12. State, Local and Individual Perceptions of Archaeology as an Economic Asset (2015)
  13. There's No App for This: The Value of Archaeology and Experiential Education in a Digital Universe (2015)
  14. A Way Forward with Public and Professional Archaeology: The Exploring Joara Foundation in North Carolina. (2015)