Archaeology for All - A National Conference was held at the University of Manchester on the 3rd and 4th November 2006 The conference provided an opportunity to explore: · what are the social, economic, tourist, educational and regenerative benefi ts of community archaeology? · how people can get involved in their own community projects · the role of the media · how to attract funds · the role of the professional, amateur enthusiast and volunteer · what is the future for community archaeology?
Do you feel you would want to get involved in community projects..but don't know how to start? and how it may affect your local community… from bringing in tourists, to teach children about the past or even just fostering a pride in where you live? Instead of being told where to dig by archaeologists, how much better (something I have learned) to decide what you want to investigate – and then ask for certain assistance from professionals and local archaeology groups.
Some people like to watch, some to do, some to research, some to dig, others to draw etc etc… there is something for everyone in archaeology. …
I hope I am right in thinking you are a volunteer on a site that was fortunate enough to be open to all, and aided by professional archaeologists as well. Where training was available, and the skills brought by the volunteers complemented those of the archaeologists…
Would you want to see more of these, did you feel it ‘worked’ well.. what did you think of the experience. – apologies in advance if I have misread who/what you do… I will be blushing if you turn out to be the EH inspector for the area…
Well I have just read it... and you are right... it takes me back I can tell ya... to that special time where the point of archaeology was to learn about the past, let others get involved and be part of it.. I know it still goes on.. (like this) but to me it highlights the lack of it now. On the bright side... I think a change is coming... many Contractors are sick of dull reports and ask to get involved with community projects... in my county we have had 4 community projects and I am seeing the Tourism and economic development people in the next county to plug the 6 potential community projects for next year... which will actually bring money into the county... and all with archaeologists desperate to help.... I think it is changing... and boy it needs to.. if we are to survive another 100 years!
Chris wrote a great diary... I enjoyed it. Can't wait to see more across the country (watch out for a Community Portal coming soon by the way!!) Also... plug plug.... the CSA have an Adopt a monument Officer who will help groups in Scotland to take care of/restore/excavate/interpret a local monument….. helping to find grants and resources… So as I said… I am hopeful…. Glass half full!
Originally posted by corinne_m: Its well written ,entertaining as well as being informative
Bless you Co.
Johnny Depp, apparently, is lined up to play my part. Although Tarantino wants Christopher Walken to play my part. He thinks letter irony is the theme. Prat.
Sorry about this but the pants editing facility causes thing like this.
quote:
Originally posted by BAJR: Well I have just read it... and you are right... it takes me back I can tell ya... to that special time where the point of archaeology was to learn about the past, let others get involved and be part of it.. I know it still goes on.. (like this) but to me it highlights the lack of it now.
Not in the school where I work.
It is now part of the NC. I make sure mine have much, much more that the NC require.
And I use local resources to teach. These little learners do not take things home to keep on their mantlepiece. Although they can handle artifacts that have been donated from..... I wonder where.
Cheering that people are working in schools talking about heritage is hardly patronising..
Being told off however does kind of look a tad patronising.. Still, it does not detract from the point that it is good for you to be so active in the community. I wonder if others are.
Originally posted by simon i: Community archaeology is REAL archaeology!!!
Or should I have said (less glibly).... getting communities involved in archaeology gives them an insight into who their forefathers were, and thence into who they are
in a couple of weeks I am presenting to a the local tourism forum reasons why archaeology can be an integral part to both community identity (as well as just great fun and activity), can be part of a school curriculum – Art, English, Citizenship, geography, history et… all can use archaeology - and this is where you are quite right… if archaeology is not just a remote activity that takes place behind fencing, or is seen on TV… that’s the best archaeology there is.
The recent Archaeology Conference in Edinburgh showed me that barriers break down when groups work together… and the best talk of the conference… a community driven project on Dunbar Vaults… Top !!
Another great Initiative in SCotland is the Adopt a Monument Officer of the CSA... a great person (real enthusiastic person) who will help with advice, suggestions and guidance (like how to fill in the right forms in teh right way to get a grant)
Am I alone in being discomfited slightly by the term "Commmunity Archaeology"?
I'd prefer to think that all archaeology undertaken in Britain benefits local communities, even if it's not always possible for local members to take part in the excavation side of things.
I would be very grateful if peopel could provide urls of successful (and reasonably current) Local initiatives... such as the Dunbar Vaults (East Lothian) and this one - also in East Lothian in Prestoungrange http://www.prestongrange.org/pcap/archaeology.htm
I can then place a community section on BAJR to highlight these ... and perhaps get more of an idea of how many and where...
Good one for the TT as well... tap into whats going on...
Originally posted by BAJR: Hmmm.... theres a point for discussion...
Does a watching brief or evaluation benefit a local community? (In some sort of way it might)
In the sense that it can trigger interest, where their has been none before prehaps. I've done a few where we've had very positive responses from residents who've not been aware that their town or village has any historical significance (Harlow for example leaps to mind. Most people think that there was little there before the 1950's)
I've also been responsible for shattering a few misconceptions too, ie disproving "secret" tunnel theories , (Sorry sir, its actually a rather large culvert ) Which is, in itself fairly valuable, as it shows people that we DONT go around finding what we (or others) necesarily want us to find.
, (Sorry sir, its actually a rather large culvert 