Collaborative and Community-engaged Archaeology

A collection of detailed case studies that emphasize partnerships with local and descendant communities to foster ethical, inclusive research practices

This book highlights approaches to archaeological research that emphasize active involvement of local communities and descendant groups in the design, investigation, interpretation, and management of sites and heritage. It argues for a paradigm shift toward ethical, inclusive, and community-driven archaeology, providing real-world examples that demonstrate the broad applicability and benefits of collaborative work.

The detailed case studies in this book examine successes and challenges in building reciprocal partnerships within academic, public outreach, museum, and compliance contexts. These projects include NAGPRA compliance work with the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, an archaeological field school in South Carolina that provides educators with resources for teaching African American history, and the preservation of a cemetery uncovered during FEMA efforts in the US Virgin Islands. Throughout the chapters of Collaborative and Community-Engaged Archaeology, contributors advocate for consultation, shared decision-making, respect for knowledge systems, and the integration of diverse perspectives at every stage of archaeological practice.

Carolyn D. Dillian is professor of archaeology at Coastal Carolina University.

Katie Stringer Clary, associate professor of interdisciplinary studies at Coastal Carolina University, is the coeditor of The Routledge Handbook of Museums, Heritage, and Death.

Charles A. Bello is an environmental planning and historic preservation specialist and unified federal review coordinator at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Bello and Dillian are coauthors of Misadventures in Archaeology: The Life and Career of Charles Conrad Abbott.