Public Archaeology

Public Archaeology is a multidisciplinary research area dealing with the relationships between professional archaeology and the general public (Marchall 2002; Derry & Malloy 2003; Merriman 2004; Svanberg & Wahlgren 2007; Little & Schakel 2007; Journal of Public Archaeology).

The emphasis is on creating interactivity in meeting the public [kan detta skrivas om undrar charlie? emphasis on developing interactive forms of public participation ], a broadening of archaeological mediation and reflection on, as well as developing, the significance of public interaction. The activities offer participation and co-creation by actively seeking new forms of collaboration. It is important that public activities include a learning perspective which, using archaeological knowledge, emphasises the creative process and the voyage of discovery (cf. Hooper-Greenhill 1995; 2007; Lang, Reeve & Woollard 2004).

Public Archaeology also brings to the fore the importance of understanding the contexts of archaeological and cultural-historical activity in present-day society. This involves an increased understanding of how history and archaeology interrelate, as well as their relationships to other goals than the purely cultural-historical one. In this way, it is also an undertaking that encompasses much more than the mediation of (popular) scientific results.

The outreach perspective is much needed for future heritage work, not only because of the accessibility gained for more people. A public-oriented focus will also give institutions opportunities to renew their own practices. Therefore it might be important to move away from the single-track charitable attitude towards reaching out to communities and to focus more on the possibilities of self-reflection and of highlighting hidden histories that is offered through public inclusion. This can contribute to renegotiating the relations between the museum and its users and thereby hopefully help to transform old museum structures for the benefit of more people in the future. For more information abut public archaeology and outreach, contact Katty H Wahlgren, Ph.D., Museum of National Antiquities, Stockholm; Fredrik Svanberg, Ph.D., Museum of National Antiquities, Stockholm.