Archaeology in 140 Characters: The Efficacy of Social Media in Archaeological Heritage Management

Summary

Social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and others, have significantly altered the way information is transmitted, globally. Social media has expedited communication, reaching but also appealing to wider audiences. However, the efficacy of social media in archaeological heritage management (AHM) has not been measured. This paper assesses the effectiveness of the District of Columbia Historic Preservation Office’s and other local group’s efforts to utilize social media in AHM. This paper will assess the varying degrees of their effectiveness. Does use of social media bolster our commitment to preserve the archaeological record, disseminate research, collaborate with the community, and engage in educational outreach, without compromising our ethical standards as archaeologists? How might social media redefine these practices based on the wider audiences they generate? These critical questions hope to better identify and define archaeology within the 21st century.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Community Education and Public Engagement   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2014

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): SYM-79,02