Public Benefits of Archaeology

Book excerpt: "It is no longer a question that conducting archaeology with an eye toward the general public is important for the discipline. What Little has accomplished in this volume is to push the dialogue further in exploring both why it is important to a nonarchaeology audience and how it is important in our world today."--Mark Warner, University of Idaho Little brings together an unprecedented mix of authors from all aspects of the profession, as well as several non-archaeologists, who address the broad range of contributions that archaeology makes beyond research. Their discussion confronts the issue of exactly who the public is and why it should care about archaeology at all. These authors prove, in exploring diverse cross-sections of the public, that archaeology plays a crucial role in providing an authentic past, opportunities for critical thinking, and multicultural education. The eclectic nature of the collection allows for a thorough exploration of major issues central to the conduct of archaeological scholarship: museum and site interpretation, site preservation, education, media relations, descendant communities, and politics and public policy. Contents Foreword: The Value of Archaeology, by Roger G. Kennedy Part I. Finding Common Ground 1. Archaeology as a Shared Vision, by Barbara J. Little 2. Public Benefits of Archaeological Research, by William D. Lipe Part II. Many Publics, Many Benefits 3. Heritage, History, and Archaeological Educators, by Francis P. McManamon 4. Hopi Understanding of the Past: A Collaborative Approach, by Leigh (Jenkins) Kuwanwisiwma 5. Neat Stuff and Good Stories: Interpreting Historical Archaeology in Two Local Communities, by Adrian Praetzellis 6. Underwater Heritage and the Diving Community, by Lynn Harris 7. On the Power of Historical Archaeology to Change Historians' Minds about the Past, by James P. Whittenburg 8. Garbology: The Archaeology of Fresh Garbage, by W. L. Rathje 9. Empowerment, Ecology, and Evidence: The Relevance of Mortuary Archaeology to the Public, by Thomas A. J. Crist Part III. Learning from an Authentic Past 10. Protecting the Past to Benefit the Public, by George S. Smith and John E. Ehrenhard 11. Roadside Ruins: Does America Still Need Archaeology Museums? by David Hurst Thomas 12. Archaeology and Tourism at Mount Vernon, by Esther C. White 13. Broadening the Interpretations of the Past at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, by Paul A. Shackel 14. Myths, Lies, and Videotapes: Information as Antidote to Social Studies Classrooms and Pop Culture, by Fay Metcalf 15. Project Archaeology: Putting the Intrigue of the Past in Public Education, by Jeanne M. Moe 16. Pursuing the ZiNj Strategy Like There's No Tomorrow, by Kevin T. Jones and Julie E. Maurer Longstreth Part IV. Promoting the Public Benefits of Archaeology 17. Irreplaceable Heritage: Archaeology and the National Register of Historic Places, by Carol D. Shull 18. Archaeology in Santa Fe: A Public-Private Balancing Act, by Mary Grzeskowiak Ragins 19. Potsherds and Politics, by Terry Goddard 20. Archaeology and the Tourism Train, by Katherine Slick 21. The Web of Archaeology: Its Many Values and Opportunities, by S. Terry Childs 22. The Archaeologist as Storyteller, by Peter A. Young 23. Reaching the Hidden Audience: Ten Rules for the Archaeological Writer, by Mitch Allen Epilogue, by Brian M. Fagan Barbara J. Little is an archaeologist for the National Park Service.