Neighborhood Archaeology: Exploring the Significance of Volunteers, Communities, and Local Politics for Contemporary Archaeology

Abstract

The expanding discussions of public archaeology have propelled consideration of the roles for descendant communities, both linear descendants and those with social ties to the peoples whose lives are being studied. Consideration of local communities has included the economic potential of heritage tourism and the dynamics of civic engagements. There have been important contributions on issues of race and recently on class. This collection seeks to extend consideration of public archaeology as civic engagements within urban neighborhoods, to explore the implications of archaeological research within and with complex social places.  The integration of volunteers, the significance of archaeological sites and historic structures for communities, and the local politics involved in historic preservation and neighborliness focus the contributions.