The Future of Maritime Archaeology

Summary

Computers, robots, and the internet are changing maritime archaeology while a global middle class - the consumers of cultural products - is growing fast, at least in Asia and the southern hemisphere. In this context archaeology, including maritime archaeology, appears as a promising field where a young generation of archaeologists is pushing to include multiple publics and narratives about archaeological remains. Public archaeology is trying to make sense of archaeological discoveries and tie them to the present world, in historical perspective, trying to shed light on present politics, ethical and social questions, or ecological problems. Archaeological sites are being used as learning environments to provoke critical thinking and teach a wide range of disciplines to children and young adults. Community archaeology is engaging local, descendent, or ideologically related communities in the development of archaeological projects. Developing countries are claiming their past and challenging the colonialist model of XX century archaeology.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Practicing Maritime Cultural Resource Management: Directives for Assessment, Active Conservation in situ, Partial Excavations, and Public Stewardship   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2016

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 622