New Life for Archaeological Collections - (Society for Historical Archaeology Material Culture) by Rebecca Allen & Ben Ford (Hardcover)

About the Book

"New Life for Archaeological Collections explores and provides strategies for addressing what archaeologists have increasingly perceived as the "curation crisis," that is, too much stuff with too little interpretation and analysis"--

Book Synopsis

New Life for Archaeological Collections explores solutions to what archaeologists are calling the "curation crisis," that is, too much stuff with too little research, analysis, and public interpretation. This volume demonstrates how archaeologists are taking both large and small steps toward not only solving the dilemma of storage but recognizing the value of these collections through inventorying and cataloging, curation, rehousing, artifact conservation, volunteer and student efforts, and public exhibits.

Essays in this volume highlight new questions and innovative uses for existing archaeological collections. Rebecca Allen and Ben Ford advance ways to make the evaluation and documentation of these collections more accessible to those inside and outside of the scholarly discipline of archaeology. Contributors to New Life for Archaeological Collections introduce readers to their research while opening new perspectives for scientists and students alike to explore the world of archaeology. These essays illuminate new connections between cultural studies and the general availability of archaeological research and information. Drawing from the experience of university professors, government agency professionals, and cultural resource managers, this volume represents a unique commentary on education, research, and the archaeological community.

Review Quotes

"New Life for Archaeological Collections is a major work. Both the editors and the many authors are to be congratulated for outlining an important and optimistic foundation for the future of archaeology through consideration of artifacts collected in the past."--Robert L. Schuyler, American Antiquity

"New Life for Archaeological Collections makes a strong argument for storing, preserving, cataloging, and curating previously excavated materials as a core component of archaeology. . . . [New Life for Archaeological Collections is] an important work that will be beneficial to graduate students, researchers, and professional archaeologists."--Courtney Baron, ARLIS/NA Reviews

"Essential reading for those working with archaeological (or cultural) collections, whether managing, curating, or researching. It not only helps to inform us how we can work with legacy collections now but also how to prepare new excavation material for the future. Most importantly, though, is that it demonstrates how working with these collections can bring new light and interpretations to the archaeological record and our understanding of the past."--Trisha Patton, Nebraska History

"This is a timely subject of importance to the field. While collections-based research and outreach are not new, the growing discussion around the subject is new and has the potential to help others in their own work."--Julia King, professor of anthropology at St. Mary's College of Maryland-- (9/14/2018 12:00:00 AM)

"This volume is an enlightening read that will benefit professionals of archaeology, preservation, history, as well as students looking to the future of archaeological research. New Life for Archaeological Collections praises the research potential of old collections as a way of preserving the past. It gently though persistently encourages archaeologists to research responsibly and include or even feature old collections when designing future projects."--Angela R. Collins, Journal of the Iowa Archeological Society

"This volume is on the cutting edge of conversations about collections-based research. In addition to bringing increased awareness to an important issue in the field, the volume contains chapters that address different issues related to the use of existing collections. Authored by a wide array of professionals, the chapters consider the ethics and practicalities of making archaeological collections accessible, using them for research, and relating them to broader publics."--Lee Panich, associate professor of anthropology at Santa Clara University-- (9/15/2018 12:00:00 AM)

"Though collections-based research is not a new concept for archaeologists, Allen and Ford's edited volume breathes life into the discussions surrounding the curation and use of collections. . . . This volume offers insights that researchers and professionals will find beneficial to their work."--B. K. West, Choice

About the Author

Rebecca Allen is director of the Tribal Historic Preservation Department at the United Auburn Indian Community and copublications and journal associate editor for the Society for Historical Archaeology. She is coeditor of Ceramic Identification in Historical Archaeology: The View from California, 1822-1940 and Baffle Marks and Pontil Scars: A Reader on Historic Bottle Identification. Ben Ford is a professor and chair of the Department of Anthropology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is the coeditor, with Alexis Catsambis and Donny Hamilton, of The Oxford Handbook of Maritime Archaeology.