Considering the Possibilities of an 'Urban Public Archaeology': The Findings of a 60-Year Retrospective of Public Archaeology in the City of Philadelphia

Summary

In practice, and in scholarly debate, historical archaeologists pursue urban archaeology either as the archaeology ‘of cities’ or as archaeology that is done ‘in cities’. Likewise, in practice and scholarly debate, there is variation and divergence in the definitions and terminologies related to what 'Public Archaeology' is and what it does. Drawing on the dynamic, diverse, innovative, and usually long history of public outreach and engagement in the city of Philadelphia, this talk -- part of a symposium on Urban Archaeology in Philadelphia – considers some new questions: Is there such as thing as an Urban Public Archaeology? If yes, what is it, and how and why is it different from public archaeology undertaken in a non-urban setting? Are there urban public archaeology methodologies? This retrospective ends with a renewed call to action for Philadelphia area archaeologists operating publicly as part of, or digging into, the city's urban condition.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Urban Archaeology in Philadelphia: A Retrospective and Call to Action   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2016

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 598