Public Archaeology and Local Societies

There were four main themes.

Public Archaeology. What do we mean by ‘public archaeology’? The term public archaeology is used loosely both for presenting the archaeology to the general public, and also for providing opportunities for non-professionals to take part in archaeology. A panel will give their views as to what they mean by public archaeology and the topic will then be thrown open to the meeting for discussion.

Grants and Awards. The Heritage Lottery Fund, the Local Heritage Initiative and other bodies have been giving out money for archaeology: many societies have been tempted to apply, and some have succeeded. Paper were given both from those societies that have successfully applied and those that have not. How do you succeed? Why do you fail? And is it all worth while? Do you, in the process, loose your independence? Are the fund-giving bodies using the right criteria?

Resistivity Meter – the results. Over 50 of the society’s Resistivity meters have been produced - how are they doing? A prize will be awarded for the best results. Independent archaeologists are invited to send in a brief synopsis of their work: the best will be invited to present their work to the meeting, and a prize will be awarded to the best results
(There will also be a surgery on the use and maintenence of these machines)

Work-in-progress. Finally, the ever-popular session in which societies and independent archaeologists are invited to tell their peers what they are doing – their successes and their problems. The entrants to the recent Pitt Rivers Award will be automatically invited to contribute, but all independent archaeologists are invited to contribute a short account (not more than 10 minutes) of their work. Please send a synopsis – not more than 100 words to the organisers.