Heritage, Communities and Archaeology - (Debates in Archaeology) by Laurajane Smith & Emma Waterton (Paperback)

About the Book

Traces the development of 'community archaeology', identifying both its advantages and disadvantages by describing how and why tensions have arisen between archaeological and community understandings of the past.

Book Synopsis

This book traces the development of 'community archaeology', identifying both its advantages and disadvantages by describing how and why tensions have arisen between archaeological and community understandings of the past. The focus of this book is the conceptual disjunction between heritage and data and the problems this poses for both archaeologists and communities in communicating and engaging with each other. In order to explain the extent of the miscommunication that can occur, the authors examine the ways in which a range of community groups, including communities of expertise, define and negotiate memory and identity. Importantly, they explore the ways in which these expressions are used, or are taken up, in struggles over cultural recognition - and ultimately, the practical, ethical, political and theoretical implications this has for archaeologists engaging in community work. Finally, they argue that there are very real advantages for archaeological research, theory and practice to be gained from engaging with communities.

Review Quotes

"Judiciously edited by Richard Hodges, the series has gone some way to bridging the gap between
the 'introduction to ...' books that serve scholar and layperson alike and less accessible (and more expensive) academic volumes." --James Doeser, European Journal of Archaeology

About the Author

Laurajane Smith is Reader in Heritage Studies, University of York, UK.
Emma Waterton is Academic Fellow in History and Heritage, Keele University, UK.