Paper presented at 18th EAA, in Helsinki 2012-09-01. Session organised by Archaeological Dialogues: Can an archaeologist be a public intellectual?

1. Participate or Perish
Damned if we do, damned if we don’t?
Åsa M Larsson
Societas Archaeolgica Upsaliensis

2. We want to reach out
The session Social Media for Archaeology at
EAA 2012 filled the room over capacity.
Outreach is no longer disdained by researchers.

3. Public archaeology

4. But not this public…?

5. Archaeology has a different culture…
Some disciplines take public discourse for granted
In archaeology, the discourse is
often generated by people with
another background
Jared Diamond

6. Archaeology is just about the past?
• IDENTITY • CULTURE
• MINORITY RIGHTS • STRUCTURE
• GENDER ROLES • NATURE/NURTURE
• ECONOMY • DEVELOPMENT
• CLIMATE • INEQUALITY
• DIET • RELIGION
• URBANISATION • DEATH
• WAR AND CONFLICT
• DISEASE etc, etc…
• NATIONALISM

7. The debate is ongoing
- with or without us

8. Social media
It’s one more tool, not an end in itself
• Practice make perfect
• Find networks, support
• Crowdsource information, tips, advice
• Establish a relationship with media/journalists

9. Think global, start local
o Each great journey starts with a simple step
o Better chance to influence
o Unique perspective
o Easier to make a splash
o More needed!

10. Raiders of the lost site?
– Vi vill inte berätta för allmänheten var denna plats ligger ännu eftersom vi är
rädda att det kommer hit arkeologer eller andra som vill göra egna
undersökningar, säger Ingrid Cassel. (…) Det vi önskar från kommunens sida är att
det inte utfärdas tillstånd för arkeologer som vill göra utgrävningar.
”We don’t want tho tell the public where this site is yet, since we
are afraid archaeologists or others will come here and do their
own investigations. (…) What we from the municipality want is
that no permission shall be granted to archaeologists wanting to
do their own excavation.”
Ingrid Cassel, Municipality councillor

11. Why do we need archaeologists?
- anyone can find stuff!
Comment: joe from colorado
“I understand digging our national treasures in certain places but you ppl are ridicilous you
think you are the only ones that should dig, well get off your asses and dig or sit down and let
others enjoy a good relaxing hobby your laws are a power trip, I enjoy digging for treasure
and lets not forget how many metal detectorist that have made major discoveries, where
were you why didn't you find the saxon treasure, why don't you just leave ppl alone and
worry about your own back yard.”

12. Putting our expertise to use
– defending our discipline

13. Are we free to express an opinion?
Press relations are more and more important
to universities, government agencies, companies
– mounting pressure to control speach and participation

14. But if we don’t…?

15. Asa M Larsson
asa.larsson@sau.se
@ArchAsa
www.archasa.se