Making the Inaccessible Accessible: Public Archaeology at a 19th-Century Bathhouse in Alexandria, Virginia

Summary

This paper examines Alexandria Archaeology’s foray into broadcasting archaeological excavations and findings through videos and social media. When excavations began at a well discovered by chance in the basement of a private residence, city archaeologists took a social media approach to reach and educatate the public about a site otherwise be inaccessible to them. Video updates of the excavation posted online allowed followers to witness the process of archaeological discovery and interpretation, thereby meeting Alexandria Archaeology’s mission of engaging the public.

The decision to venture into social media outreach was made with little forethought; as such the results fell short of the initial vision. The experience still demonstrates the nearly unlimited possibilities for bringing Alexandria’s archaeological past to a wider audience. Public archaeology has an ethical duty to provide greater transparency and access to the archaeological process and social media serves as an effective way to fulfill this obligation.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Urban Public Archaeology of the Washington, D.C. Region   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2016

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Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 457