Perhaps we don't need to be too sore about being ignored by historians.
One of the great values of archaeology of any sort is the immediacy with
which physical remains can convey history. I suspect there are more
members of the general public who take an interest in a local dig, than
the written histories. I don't know about America, but Australian
television audiences are responding well to the boom in imported TV
archaeology from Britain -
see for example:
The time team http://www.channel4.com/history/timeteam/
BBC archaeology http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/archaeology/
Two men in a trench
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/archaeology/excavations_techniques/two_men_
01.shtml
And on Industrial Archaeology, "Seven Wonders of the Industrial World"
turned out to be one of the highest rating programs of the Australian
public broadcaster.
Some historians don't know what their missing
__________________________________
Gary Vines
Archaeologist
mobile: 0428 526 898
mailto:[log in to unmask]
Biosis Research Pty. Ltd.
Natural and Cultural Heritage Consultants
38 Bertie Street (PO Box 489)
Port Melbourne Vic 3207
ph: (03) 9646 9499
fax: (03) 9646 9242
__________________________________
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
King, Julia
Sent: Monday, 16 October 2006 3:29 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Publishing (was Industrial Archaeology debate)
What about Internet publishing as one way to reach the public?
I am always amazed with how much I learn about archaeological projects
and sites on web pages, although I think there could be much more for
both the public and the professional; perhaps with web sites arranged
hierarchically in some way so that the interested public does not
necessarily need to get bogged down in technical reports (but, hey, if
they want to, the reports are there).
Web pages can remain timely and relevant through updating, and can be
populated with compelling graphics (and even sound). Colonial
Williamsburg even had a blog for its excavation this summer! Those
sites already "published" in some form on the web are really useful for
research and for public educational purposes.
I know there are risks with misinformation, that web site design and
functionality are as critical as content, that internet publishing is
hardly free, and that academic promotion prefers peer-reviewed scholarly
publication. But it seems clear that the internet and its ease of
accessibility holds promise for both professionals and the public.
Julie King
________________________________
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY on behalf of Ron May
Sent: Sun 10/15/2006 11:52 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: The continuing debate Industrial Archaeology
I have always advocated the need for parallel communication in a
long-term project that includes a series of popularized articles that
are richly illustrated and written for the sixth grade mentality. I
learned in journalism that popular writing is always aimed at that
level. Moreover, I learned that dry text will not draw public attention.
Embedded art work, photograph, and interpretation in artwork to explain
the text is the way to reach the public. An excellent example would be
Jack Williams' wonderful illustrations of 18th century Spanish soldiers,
military buildings, and lifeways within presidio compounds that he uses
in power point lectures to the popular community. I say parallel because
we also need to publish professional articles and it would hurt no one
to embed a few art pieces to carry points to the profession. But what do
we do for the short term? How do we fund parallel publications on
projects that only take a few weeks in the field?
Ron May
Legacy 106, Inc.
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