Sharing Archaeology: Academe, Practice and the Public (Routledge Studies in Archaeology)

As a discipline, Archaeology has developed rapidly over the last half-century. The increase in so-called ‘public archaeology,’ with its wide range of television programming, community projects, newspaper articles, and enhanced site-based interpretation has taken archaeology from a closed academic discipline of interest to a tiny minority to a topic of increasing interest to the general public. This book explores how archaeologists share information – with specialists from other disciplines working within archaeology, other archaeologists, and a range of non-specialist groups. It emphasises that to adequately address contemporary levels of interest in their subject, archaeologists must work alongside and trust experts with an array of different skills and specializations.

Drawing on case studies from eleven countries, Sharing Archaeology explores a wide range of issues raised as the result of archaeologists’ communication both within and outside the discipline. Examining best practice with wider implications and uses beyond the specified case studies, the chapters in this book raise questions as well as answers, provoking a critical evaluation of how best to interact with varied audiences and enhance sharing of archaeology.

Peter Stone is Head of School of Arts and Cultures and Professor of Heritage Studies in the International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies at Newcastle University, UK. He has published widely on heritage management, interpretation and education. Peter was Honorary Chief Executive Officer of the World Archaeological Congress between 1998 and 2008. He has worked with the North East Regional Development Agency regarding the economic value of World Heritage Sites to the region; most of this economic value is based around developing sustainable tourism. In 2003 Peter was advisor to the Ministry of Defence regarding the identification and protection of the archaeological cultural heritage in Iraq.

Zhao Hui is the Director of the School of Archaeology and Museology, Peking University, China. He also is the Director of the Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology at Peking University. Since he gained his BA in History in 1983 and his MA in History in 1986, he has devoted himself to the research and teaching of Neolithic archaeology and field archaeology at the School of Archaeology and Museology, Peking University for more than 20 years. He has directed several national-funded and international research projects (eg.Chinese Civilization Origin Studies, Settlement Evolution and Early Civilizations, and Sino-japan cooperated Archaeobotany Research of Liangzhu Culture).