An Interdisciplinary Approach to Archaeology and Public Participation

Summary

The Walhain-Saint-Paul Project in Belgium, founded in 1998 as a partnership between the Centre de Recherches d’Archéologie Nationale in Belgium and Eastern Illinois University as an archaeological field school, seeks to promote not just archaeology, but also historic preservation to our students and the surrounding community. A protected site since the 1980’s, the 12th century castle has been preserved for further study and cultural heritage. Field schools provide us with teaching opportunities, community interaction and valuable research time. When the aim is writing the full history of a protected site and monument, documenting it for future use and the protection/ conservation of an archaeological site’is this type of interdisciplinary project enough? And, must we absolutely develop sophisticated 21st century technologies in order to ask the good questions on a historical site? In an age of technology, we find that it is necessary to engage broader audiences for continued interest. But, tried and true techniques in the field have proven to be the best course of action on the site. We are able to employ a variety of methods to ensure that the research goals are met.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Poster Session   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2014

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): POS-99,05