Public Benefits of Archaeology

"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 museum and site interpretation, site preservation, education, media relations, descendant communities, and politics and public policy. Contents 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 A Collaborative Approach, by Leigh (Jenkins) Kuwanwisiwma   5. Neat Stuff and Good 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. The Archaeology of Fresh Garbage, by W. L. Rathje   9. Empowerment, Ecology, and 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 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 Information as Antidote to Social Studies Classrooms and Pop Culture, by Fay Metcalf   15. Project 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 Archaeology and the National Register of Historic Places, by Carol D. Shull   18. Archaeology in Santa 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 Its Many Values and Opportunities, by S. Terry Childs   22. The Archaeologist as Storyteller, by Peter A. Young   23. Reaching the Hidden 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.