I was thinking recently about trying to set something up around this question for the debates volume of World Archaeology-but Archaeological Dialogues would also be good. There is a fair amount of diversity amongst those who work on the archaeology of the recent/contemporary past (and who post to this list) in terms of what people think it is/should be. I was thinking about this particularly in relation to Dan Hicks's comments on this list about the article John Schofield and I wrote for Archaeologies, and also more recently off list about our book. I think there are a number of differences of approach and intent amongst practitioners which it would be helpful to work through at this point in time. If we could broaden the conversation away from just whether it is useful or not to flesh out some of the nuances and diversity of viewpoints I think it would truly help move things forward, rather than it being simply a piece of defensive argument.
In terms of whether people think it is 'crap', there were some rather sceptical comments made in the latest Antiquity about Laurie Wilkie's and Skowronek and Lewis' books on campus archaeology which seemed to be questioning the potential contribution of archaeology to recent periods ('...very earnest, overburdened, well-meaning and superfluous: this is illustrative archaeology'). On the other hand, I think there is a greater acceptance of the archaeological approach to recent time periods than ever, so we do need to be careful not to over labour the point.
I think it could be productive to arrange some sort of conversation around these issues more generally and I would be pleased to be a part of it if anyone wants to get in contact off list?
Rodney
_______________________
Dr Rodney Harrison
Lecturer in Heritage Studies
Faculty of Arts
The Open University
Walton Hall
MILTON KEYNES MK7 6AA
UNITED KINGDOM
email: [log in to unmask]
web: www.open.ac.uk/Arts/history/harrison.htm
Understanding Global Heritage: www.open.ac.uk/Arts/ad281
CHAT group: www.contemp-hist-arch.ac.uk
After Modernity
Archaeological Approaches to the Contemporary Past
Available now through all good bookshops, or direct from Oxford University Press at:
http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199548088.do
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From: MAY, Sarah [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 06 October 2010 10:57
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: re. is contemporary archaeology crap?
Audrey and I were wondering if Archaeological Dialogues could be prevailed upon to draw some of this out. It would be better to have a chance to discuss it thoroughly rather than enduring subtle cuts, casual comments at conferences, and indeed rather than setting up explicit or unstated staw men in our own arguments.
All the best
Sarah
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion List for Contemporary and Historical Archaeology [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Oliver, Jeff
Sent: 06 October 2010 10:57
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: re. is contemporary archaeology crap?
There was also a subtle cut, if I recall, meted out by the journalist that covered the 70's(?) campsite dig that was reported on at the Oxford CHAT last year. I believe this appeared in the Guardian - but I'm afraid I can't remember the date.
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion List for Contemporary and Historical Archaeology [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of MAY, Sarah
Sent: 06 October 2010 10:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: re. is contemporary archaeology crap?
Just looked through Paul's blog onteh Van and the comments were from within the Ironbridge team and were fairly mild. But as far as I can see they also come from before the beginning of the project. I would be interested to see what the same people thought of the results of the project. The comments responding to the blog posts were all positive (though that's pretty common on archaeology blogs (probably a sign that they aren't functioning quite the way that other blogs do)
All the best
Sarah
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion List for Contemporary and Historical Archaeology [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Horning, Audrey J. (Dr.)
Sent: 06 October 2010 10:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: re. is contemporary archaeology crap?
If the intention of the original post was to find comments in print criticising or questioning contemporary archaeology, one could look at some of the comments posted on Paul Belford's blog about the Van project, http://contemp-ironbridge.blogspot.com/
Audrey
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contemp-hist-arch is a list for news and events in contemporary and historical archaeology, and for announcements relating to the CHAT conference group.
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For email subscription options see:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/archives/contemp-hist-arch.html
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Visit the CHAT website for more information and for future meeting dates:
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contemp-hist-arch is a list for news and events in contemporary and historical archaeology, and for announcements relating to the CHAT conference group.
-------
For email subscription options see:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/archives/contemp-hist-arch.html
-------
Visit the CHAT website for more information and for future meeting dates:
http://www.contemp-hist-arch.ac.uk
--------------------------
--------------------------
contemp-hist-arch is a list for news and events
in contemporary and historical archaeology, and
for announcements relating to the CHAT conference group.
-------
For email subscription options see:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/archives/contemp-hist-arch.html
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Visit the CHAT website for more information and for future meeting dates:
http://www.contemp-hist-arch.ac.uk
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The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302).
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contemp-hist-arch is a list for news and events
in contemporary and historical archaeology, and
for announcements relating to the CHAT conference group.
-------
For email subscription options see:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/archives/contemp-hist-arch.html
-------
Visit the CHAT website for more information and for future meeting dates:
http://www.contemp-hist-arch.ac.uk
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