Ethnography of Archaeology Project

This project is an ethnographic examination of the network of actors and activities involved in 1) the shaping of archaeology into the authoritative discipline for the study of prehistory, and 2) the discovery of archaeological artifacts and their transformation into “cultural resources.” This study focuses on the “boundary-making” activities that delineate the discipline, as well as the borders between archaeology and the other actors involved in producing cultural heritage, including technological research centers, funding institutions, government officials, politicians, museum curators, media outlets, and “lay-people.” The emphasis on boundaries is a useful analytical method to learn how these various actors define the scope of their activities in relation to each other. Furthermore, it aids in understanding why competing interpretations and conflicts over the “ownership” of cultural resources occurs, and thereby may provide clues for how to ameliorate and prevent these conflicts.