Reference no: EM132505654

Instructions

• The Public Archaeology Presentation invites you to evaluate the public archaeology outreach of a site such as an archaeological excavation that is open to the public, an outdoor museum that is hosting or has hosted archaeological excavations, a museum with archaeological collections, etc.* Using the insight you have gained in this course about important topics in archaeology such as archaeological method and theory, subsistence, cultural patterns in prehistory, and environmental interaction, evaluate the ways in which, at the site you have chosen, the knowledge gained from archaeological excavations is being used, or is not being used, to highlight and address issues in the local, regional, or global communities. For example, current issues often addressed in public archaeology include historic preservation, economic growth, environmental degradation, looting, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education, volunteer opportunities, and more. You will present your findings to your classmates in the Week 8 Public Archaeology discussion in the form of a multimedia presentation.

1) Introduction

Question 1: Introduce the site you have chosen (or the original site of the artifact collection), including such information as the region in which the site is located, the time period it belongs to, the people who lived there, and the type of site (village, city, sacramental site, shipwreck, hunting camp, etc.).

2) Method and Theory

Question 2: Summarize the excavations that have taken place at the site, including field seasons/dates and information about the archaeologists who have studied the site. Note their affiliations (e.g. who do they work for?). Describe the methods used at the site (excavation, remote sensing, etc.) and theories about the site proposed by the excavators and other archaeologists.

3) Public Outreach

Question 3: Discuss the insights gained through excavation. What significant artifacts (including structures and features) have been located? Were any of these artifacts, structures, or features on display, including as reconstructions either on or off site? What kinds of markers or signage described the excavations or artifacts? Were there suggestions on how to learn more?

4) Important Issues

Question 4: Did the public outreach of the site relate the archaeological insights to any local, regional, or global issues? If so, discuss the issues and the ways in which archaeology is or could be applied to address the issues, as according to the public outreach of the site. If not, discuss how you think public outreach based on the archaeology of your site or the museum's artifact collection could be used to address current issues. As described above, public archaeology focuses on many issues, such as looting and treasure hunting, the safeguarding of archaeological and historic sites for the future, archaeology tourism and other activities that boost the local economy, climate change in the past and present, volunteer opportunities and continuing education, environmental changes caused by humans (deforestation, overfishing), and educational opportunities offered through archaeological research (especially the STEM fields).

5) Conclusions

Question 5: Assess the public outreach at the site or museum you chose, highlighting both the pros and cons. Offer suggestions for improvement. Discuss any ideas or approaches that you feel worked well in bringing archaeology to the public and relating archaeology to current issues in the wider world.

6) References

Question 6: Provide a written list of all references used for your presentation in alphabetical order by last name of author or primary author.