Archaeology and Economic Development

Summary

Archaeology contributes to local, national and international economic development in numerous respects, a fact that is gaining increasing attention through study and analysis. For years, large-scale multi-year excavations provided seasonal wages to local workers and supported community craft industries, although the revenues were rarely quantified or regarded as local economic development. Archaeological sites, when featured as tourist attractions, can comprise a lucrative source of revenue for their localities, and for provincial and national governments, as well as for foreign private tourism operators. Development institutions, with the intent to alleviate poverty and foster community economic development, have encouraged participation by local inhabitants in maintaining and managing archaeological sites. This emphasis results in efforts to ensure that these populations share in the economic benefits of tourism and requires that such benefits are monitored, recorded and evaluated. The presentation focuses on several instances where archaeological excavation and site management involve participation by local populations, utilizing their knowledge, cultivating skills and providing income.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• Combating Inequality: Archaeology and the Production of Capital in the 21st Century

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