Convened by Claire Smith and H. Martin Wobst
The ‘doing’ of archaeology at any place in the world is a political act. This is recognised in the second statute of the World Archaeological Congress, which states that the Congress is based ‘on the explicit recognition of the historical and social role, and the political context, of archaeological enquiry, of archaeological organisations, and of archaeological interpretation’. The political nature of archaeological research influence field procedures and methods of analysis as well as the selection and presentation of results. Therefore, the session will consider the following issues:
• the manner in which sociopolitical biases bear upon archaeological research;
• the implications of archaeological research for non-specialist interest groups;
• the manner in which a critical awareness of present practices can lead to productive refinements and/or changes in those practices.
Often, archaeologists view their social impact only in terms of an indigenous ‘Other’, thus deflecting the discussion of politics from themselves and from their effect on their own system to minimizing or optimizing their effect on indigenous people. However, there are important links between these aspects of the politics of practice. Important questions concerning the sociopolitical nature of the relationships between archaeologists and Aboriginal people include issues of control over research methods, the dissemination of results and whether it is possible for researchers to adopt a neutral position. In some ways, the increase in direct indigenous critiques of archaeological practice have opened up the arena to a wider commentary. Increasingly, archaeology has to be seen to be of benefit to the wider community. Thus, this session will consider the social impact of archaeological practice on:
the indigenous peoples with whom archaeologists work;
the socio-political systems within which archaeologists operate and;
the wider community with which archaeologists interact.
In short, this session will study the politics of practice up, down and sideways …
papers:
Author 1 Author 2 Title
Anderson Warrior Reclaiming the past
Beck et al Aboriginal Ecoturism and Archaeology in Coastal NSW, Australia
Cowgill Agency theory and understanding change
de la Luz-Rodriguez Intellectuals, Archaeology and the construction of identity in a Colonial State: the case of Puerto Rico
Ditter et al Indigenous Heritage and Local Communities s081dtt1
Hunter Politics in Practice: recent developments in the relationship between indigenous Australians, archaeologists and the wider community
Kehoe Archaeology as social charter for the West
Marshall Dodd A Perspective on the Issues Faced by Indigenous Students of Archaeology
Mathis Archaeology and the media: Engaging the public
Nicholas Carlson The persistence of memory, the politics of desire: Archaeological and aboriginal Concerns in Canada
Smith Archaeological practice and the governance of indigenous identity
Smith Staniforth Community archaeology as collaboration and critique
Taylor Ward Archaeology and Indigenous Australia
West Indigenous involvement in the forestry industry in Tasmania: a change towards the recognition of Aborigional values and archaeological resources in forests
Wobst Archaeologists as implements