The Perils of a Usable Past: Archaeology’s Journey from Culture History to Culture Wars
The Perils of a Usable Past: Archaeology’s Journey from Culture History to Culture Wars

Summary/Abstract: Archaeology faces an uncertain future as it is buffeted by forces that are interested in coopting the knowledge products it generates or oppose archaeological and heritage preservation efforts altogether for economic and ideological reasons. State sponsorship of archaeological research has posed an ethical dilemma for the field since the royal cabinets of curiosity were established in the early days of antiquarian investigations, making archaeology vulnerable to manipulation by those who hold the purse strings from its inception. The field is perceived by the general public as esoteric, elitist and/or an obstacle to economic development, while the legacies of nationalism and colonialism have driven a wedge between indigenous communities and archaeologists, making potential allies into antagonists. We must educate and train archaeologists to be more effective communicators and advocates for the discipline and for the communities in which they practice if the field is to survive as an independent scholarly enterprise.

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