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Community Archaeology at the Trowel's Edge

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2020

Laurie E. Miroff Open the ORCID record for Laurie E. Miroff [Opens in a new window]  and
Nina M. Versaggi
Laurie E. Miroff*
Affiliation:
Public Archaeology Facility, Science 1, Room 146, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY13902-6000, USAnversagg@binghamton.edu
Nina M. Versaggi
Affiliation:
Public Archaeology Facility, Science 1, Room 146, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY13902-6000, USAnversagg@binghamton.edu
*
(lmiroff@binghamton.edu, corresponding author)
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Abstract

The Public Archaeology Facility's (PAF) Community Archaeology Program (CAP) at Binghamton University began 25 years ago in response to intense community interest in participating in archaeology. Although non-archaeologists have unlimited access to programming and social media about archaeology, there is more limited access to professionally supervised opportunities. PAF developed CAP to provide non-archaeologists with the opportunity to participate in highly supervised archaeological research projects to share in the process of discovery at the “trowel's edge.” CAP recognizes the challenges and critiques of community programs and mitigates these by creating a climate of ethical practice. Our goal is to educate individuals about the presence of a rich and fascinating past in their own communities and create the sweat equity that can result in advocates for preservation. We operate under the principles that the heritage story embedded in an artifact is worthy of our respect and protection, and that an educated public is more likely to support the preservation of this heritage. Making a connection to people through artifacts builds not only a deeper understanding of the past but also an empathy for preservation. In this article, we introduce the program and reflect on the 25-year history of CAP and future directions.

El Programa de Arqueología Comunitaria (PAC) del Public Archaeology Facility (PAF) de la Universidad de Binghamton comenzó hace 25 años en respuesta al intenso interés por parte de la comunidad en participar en la arqueología. Si bien las personas ajenas a la arqueología tienen un acceso ilimitado a ella a través de programas de televisión y redes sociales, existe una limitación mayor cuando se trata del acceso a oportunidades supervisadas profesionalmente. PAF desarrolló el PAC para proporcionar a las personas ajenas a la arqueología la oportunidad de participar en proyectos de investigación arqueológica altamente supervisados, lo que les permite compartir el proceso de descubrimiento que se desenvuelve al mismo “filo de el paletín.” El PAC reconoce los desafíos y críticas que se plantean hacia los programas comunitarios y los mitiga mediante la creación de un clima de práctica ética. Nuestra meta es educar a los individuos acerca de la presencia de un pasado rico y fascinante en sus propias comunidades, así como estimular el vínculo que surge del trabajo compartido, que a su vez puede contribuir a formar defensores de la preservación. Operamos bajo los principios de que la historia patrimonial incorporada en un artefacto se merece nuestro respeto y protección, y de que un público educado se muestra más inclinado a apoyar la preservación de este patrimonio. Establecer una conexión con la gente a través de los artefactos no sólo construye un entendimiento más profundo del pasado, sino que también crea empatía para su preservación. En este artículo, presentamos el CAP y reflexionamos acerca de sus 25 años de historia, así como de su desarrollo futuro.

Keywords

community archaeologypublic outreacharchaeological educationU.S. NortheastPublic Archaeology FacilityBinghamton Universityla arqueología comunitariacolaboración con el públicola educación arqueológicael Noreste de los Estados UnidosPublic Archaeology FacilityUniversidad de Binghamton
Type
Articles
Information
Advances in Archaeological Practice , Volume 8 , Issue 4 , November 2020 , pp. 398 - 408
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for American Archaeology

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