Public Perceptions of Archaeology

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.