Apologies for cross-posting

Hi folks,

York University in Toronto is hosting a conference titled, “Active
History: History for the Future” in late September.  I’d like to try to
put together a panel on community-based archaeology, so if anyone is
interested, please contact me with a brief description of the project
you would be discussing as well as a brief (1-2 page) CV.  The deadline
for proposals is March 31, so I’d like to have all materials together by
the 25th or 26th so as to have time to put them in order.  Below is the
first part of the abstract that I’ve worked up for the panel (the second
part will include brief descriptions of the proposed presentations). 
More information about the conference (including the official Call for
Presentations) can be found at http://activehistory.wordpress.com/.

Cheers,
Bob

Panel Abstract:
Archaeology as Active History: Civic Engagement and Social Activism in
Current Archaeological Practice

Within the past decade there has been an explosion of interest and
activity in various types of community-based archaeology, ranging from
public education to explicitly activist archaeology.  Lively discussions
and debates over the appropriate means, methods and goals of
community-based archaeology have dominated recent conferences, and the
number of edited volumes that have appeared or are in progress testify
to the growing importance of this brand of forward-looking archaeology. 
While there are many variations in actual practice, what ties all of
these projects together is the imperative to actively engage descendant
communities, local stakeholders and the general public in the process of
archaeological research with the purpose of creating a usable past for
present and future generations.


Robert C. Chidester, M.A.A.
Affiliate
Center for Heritage Resource Studies
Department of Anthropology
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
(410) 736-1214
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