Theme:
3. The Life of Archaeological Heritage in Society
Session format:
Regular session
Title:
Archaeological Heritage ? Diversifying Approaches of Cooperation with Non-European Partners
Content:
Archaeological Heritage, understood as the material remains of the past, does not rest in a void. It is an inherent part of the contemporary environment, shaping the landscape, societies, and visions of the past. Doubtless, past and contemporary cultures form a continuity, and any link to the past, including intangible remains like memories, customs, identities or linguistic legacy should be understood as part of archaeological heritage. It is essential while researching non-European cultures that were for a long time victims of the colonial approach, seen either as curiosities or as predecessors of greater (meaning Western) cultures and thus described and explained for the benefit of Europeans, without acknowledging or even noting their proper context which at least severely limited their understanding. To appreciate the context, cooperation between archaeologists with specialists dealing with non-European cultures is needed. Perspectives of non-European partners differ from those rooted in European academic traditions, and – moreover – local contexts lead to shifts in priorities and add possibilities. For example, local initiatives to create community-based museums add interesting new possibilities for disseminating knowledge and integrating research results in a local context. Also, the integration of local knowledge of cultural contexts and traditions, which can enrich archaeological research and support the interpretation of finds, cannot be detached from local communities seeing themselves as guardians of historical sites.
Also, the postcolonial perspective emphasizes researched societies’ involvement in archaeological and ethnographical research. Research should no longer be about them, but with them. It is mutually advantageous; local societies may help understand the past, and through involvement, they can effectively profit from it. Invited to join the discussion are colleagues who engage local communities in research on the past or who combine archaeological research with memory studies.
Keywords:
Archaeological Heritage, local communities, modern society, community outreach, non-European cultures
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:
Kamil Kuraszkiewicz (Poland) 1
Co-organisers:
Zuzanna Augustyniak (Poland) 1
Mearg Abay Abebe (Ethiopia) 2
Affiliations:
1. University of Warsaw, Faculty of Oriental Studies
2. Mekelle University
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