Theme:
3. Heritage Narratives and Representations
Session format:
Regular session
Title:
Fragmentation in and of Archaeology?
Content:
Over the last 30 years, the archaeological field has significantly professionalised. It has evolved from a predominantly state-run sector to a development-led field where the responsibility of heritage management is divided between national agencies, universities, municipal governments, and private-owned companies. All the while, commercial archaeological companies are responsible for the majority of excavations, where new data is generated.
Despite this professionalisation, we are witnessing increased fragmentation. Fragmentation not only includes the division of responsibilities but can take many forms. On the one hand, data from commercial excavations may never be published or elaborated. On the other hand, the results from academic research may never reach people working in commercial archaeology or cultural management. Are we witnessing a gap between data generation, knowledge production, and agenda setting?
There are, however, promising examples of how to bridge these gaps. For instance, governments are allocating funds to study and synthesise data from old excavations, while heritage agencies are working with private companies and academia to set national research agendas.
This session critically investigates the characteristics and consequences of a fragmented archaeological field. Are the current developments for the better? In other words, has managing archaeological resources become a commodity instead of a field geared toward generating and preserving knowledge for future generations? Does a fragmented archaeological field lead to more efficient research and better results?
We welcome submissions from the entire archaeological field (e.g., academia, commercial archaeologists, and government officials) across all periods and disciplines to demonstrate, evaluate, and discuss fragmentation in archaeology with a solution-oriented approach.
Keywords:
Fragmentation, investigate, archaeological resources
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Session associated with CAA:
no
Session associated with DGUF:
no
Session associated with other:
Main organiser:
Elin Dalen (Norway) 1
Co-organisers:
Eva Kars (Netherlands) 2
Toon Bongers (Belgium) 3
Affiliations:
1. Heritage management
2. Commercial
3. University
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