Presenting Archaeology to the Public: Digging for Truths

by John H. Jameson Jr. (Editor)

Overview

In the face of increasing public interest and demand for information, archaeologists are collaborating with historians, museum curators, and exhibit designers to devise the best strategies for translating archaeological information to the public. This book opens doors for public involvement. It highlights successful case studies in which specialists have provided with the opportunity and necessary tools for learning about archaeology. Little Big Horn, Sabino Canyon, Monticello, and Poplar Forest are just a few of the historical sites featured.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780759117600
Publisher:	AltaMira Press
Publication date:	02/04/1997
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	26 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

National Park Service, United States

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Acknowledgements
Chapter 2 Foreword by John H. Jameson, Jr. and John E. Ehrenard
Chapter 3 Introduction, by John H. Jameson, Jr.
Chapter 4 One: Background
Chapter 5 1. Presenting the Past: A Framework for Discussion, by Peter G. Stone
Chapter 6 2. The Archaeological Site as an Interpretive Environment, by Parker B. Potter, Jr.
Chapter 7 3. Locating Truths on Archaeological Sites, by Parker B. Potter, Jr. and Nancy Jo Chabot
Chapter 8 4. Generalized Versus Literal Interpretation, by Stanley South
Chapter 9 Two: Strategies that Work
Chapter 10 5. Successfully Integrating the Public into Research: Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, by Margaret A. Heath
Chapter 11 6. The Role of Public Participation: Arizona's Public Archaeology Program, by Teresa L. Hoffman
Chapter 12 7. Sites without Sights: Interpreting Closed Excavations, by Karen Lee Davis
Chapter 13 Three: Interpreting Archaeology in Cities
Chapter 14 8. The Past through Tomorrow: Interpreting Toronto's Heritage to a Multi-cultural Pubic, by Karolyn E. Smardz
Chapter 15 9. Ancient and Modern United: Archaeological Exhibits in Urban Plazas, by Sherene Baugher and Diana Dizerga Wall
Chapter 16 10. The Evolution of Interpretation: The Charleston Place Site, by Nichols Honerkamp and Martha A. Zierden
Chapter 17 Four: Interpreting Archaeology at Museums, Parks, and Sites
Chapter 18 11. Public Archaeology at Cahokia, by William R. Iseminger
Chapter 19 12. Interpreting Cultural Resources: Hatzic Site, by David Pokotylo and Gregory Brass
Chapter 20 13. Putting people Back into the Landscape: Sabino Canyon, by Stephanie M. Whittlesey and Mary Farrell
Chapter 21 14. Archaeology and Interpretation at Monticello and Poplar Forest, by Barbara J. Heath
Chapter 22 15. The Interpretation of Slavery: Mount Vernon, Monticello, and Colonial Williamsburg, by Mark D. Bograd
Chapter 23 16. Museum in the Making: The Morven Project, by Rebecca Yamin
Chapter 24 17. Archaeological Preservation: Drayton Hall, by Meffett B. Lavin
Chapter 25 18. Interpreting Archaeology at Little Bighorn, by Douglas D. Scott
Chapter 26 19. The Archaeology of Billy the Kid, by David T. Kirkpatrick
Chapter 27 Bibliography
Chapter 28 About the Authors
Chapter 29 Index

Editorial Reviews

A valuable compendium of articles that address the presentation of archaeological information to an interested public.

American Antiquity

Eliminating ethnic, racial, and gender-based bias is one of the strongest themes underlying the contributed articles in this book.... Jameson and his contributors have performed a great service for the discipline of archaeology by presenting field tested possibilities for programs that bring archaeologists out of their intellectual ivory towers.

Historical Archaeology

Jameson's edited volume comprises 19 essays and an Introduction, and showcases archaeological interpretation for an international audience. The focus of the collection is not surprising given the editor's involvement with the National Park Service's Public Interpretation Initiative Program. First rate contributions have been elicited from knowledgeable archaeologists, historians, and museum personnel who have collaborated on and participated in a variety of public education and archaeology programs. The strength of the work, and its interdisciplinary appeal in this reviewer's estimation, lies in its topical and geographical diversity and content. These cohesive essays and case studies are grouped in four parts: Background, Strategies That Work, Interpreting Archaeology in Cities, and Interpreting Archaeology at Museums, Parks, and Sites. Each engages the reader to (re)consider the value of non-renewable and irreplaceable cultural resources. From Bill the Kid's New Mexico Territory to Jefferson's Monticello and beyond, this archaeological record imparts new insights and interpretations. Presentnig Archaeology merits a place on many bookshelves and reading lists.

Journal of the West - Paul R. Picha

The authors of most of these articles were the originators, organizers, or principals in the projects and they have generally presented the reader with information on what worked and what didn't work....Should prove useful for discussion in any class on public archaeology.

Journal of Field Archaeology

Eliminating ethnic, racial, and gender-based bias is one of the strongest themes underlying the contributed articles in this book.... Jameson and his contributors have performed a great service for the discipline of archaeology by presenting field tested possibilities for programs that bring archaeologists out of their intellectual ivory towers.--Historical Archaeology

The authors of most of these articles were the originators, organizers, or principals in the projects and they have generally presented the reader with information on what worked and what didn't work....Should prove useful for discussion in any class on public archaeology.--Journal of Field Archaeology

A valuable compendium of articles that address the presentation of archaeological information to an interested public.--American Antiquity

From the Publisher

The authors of most of these articles were the originators, organizers, or principals in the projects and they have generally presented the reader with information on what worked and what didn't work....Should prove useful for discussion in any class on public archaeology.

Journal Of Field Archaeology