Can an archaeologist be a public intellectual?

Abstract

In the contributions that follow seven archaeologists, of different backgrounds and working in different ways and places, attempt to answer the question ‘Can an archaeologist be a public intellectual?’ This discussion follows a special forum, sponsored by this journal, held at the European Archaeologists’ Association annual conference in Helsinki in 2012. The participants in that forum were Åsa Larsson, Layla Renshaw, Ghattas Sajey, Audrey Horning and Thomas Meier, who was unfortunately unable to offer his contribution for publication. The published discussion is supplemented by contributions from Cornelius Holtorf, Fredrik Svanberg, Nathan Schlanger and Jaime Almansa Sánchez. We hope that this special section captures some of the spirit of lively debate that characterized the forum.

Engagement, Sustainability and Diversity: examining recent heritage policy in Norway

“…If not, as Gonzalez Ruibal et al argue, 'we may end up as mere facilitators, social media managers or entertainers, while others will do our work in our place ' (2018, 511). If archaeologists are to step into the role of 'public intellectual' (Tarlow and Nilsson Stutz 2013) and influence public opinion, then, as Bonacchi (2018Bonacchi ( , 1659 has noted, there needs to be 'more substantial and profound public engagement'. It is also crucial that we as archaeologists explain the social value of archaeology and ask how archaeology can be of benefit to the publicboth on the individual and community level.…”

Towards a New Paradigm? The Third Science Revolution and its Possible Consequences in Archaeology

“…The archaeologist as a Towards a New Paradigm? public figure was the theme of a recent volume of Archaeological Dia logues, presenting some relevant papers and examples from around the world (Tarlow & Stutz 2013).…”

The significant past and insignificant archaeologists. Who informs the public about their ‘national’ past? The case of Romania

“…It appears that archaeologists were not silenced: rather, we did not effectively communicate our relevance, despite the types of evidence we work with being important in constructing identities today. Exploring the potential role of archaeologists as public intellectuals (Tarlow and Nilsson Stutz 2015) is therefore timely and important.…”