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In recent years, archaeologists have become engaged in emerging forms of collaboration, projects with descendant communities that radically challenge the discipline’s theoretical, methodological, and ethical foundations. A global phenomenon, collaboration is increasingly seen as a way for scholars to become involved with local stakeholders, moving beyond confrontational claims over who “owns” the past while maintaining the principles of scientific inquiry.
From such endeavors we see that collaboration in practice exists on a continuum, from merely communicating research to descendant communities to a genuine synergy where the contributions of community members and scholars create a positive result that could not be achieved without joining efforts. Collaboration then is not one uniform idea or practice, but a range of strategies that seek to link the archaeological enterprise with different publics by working together. While each project along the “collaborative continuum” is consequently unique, all move the discipline of archaeology towards a more accurate, inclusive, and ethically sound practice. This volume presents a new collection of essays by researchers deeply involved in collaborative projects. The chapters collectively explore the theoretical underpinnings of collaboration, the many approaches to its practice, and the complex moral questions that have arisen. This book will interest students and practitioners alike by contributing to the continuing dialogue about the limitations and promise of archaeological practice. Co-edited with T. J. Ferguson. AltaMira Press (2008) |
The editors have produced a provocative, insightful, and forward-looking book of international scope that has tremendous relevance for indigenous peoples and the archaeologists who work with and for them. |