‘Deviants, punks and Pink Fairies’: counter-archaeologies for unreasonable people

Abstract

Like any subject, archaeology has its traditions, its conventional practices and guiding principles that ensure it stays loyal, true to its original aims. That is why today, archaeologists still excavate, generating yet more data, publishing in the latest volumes of long-established journals, or in expensive monographs that only other archaeologists will read. Archaeologists employed by heritage agencies care for monuments and historic buildings, ensuring they survive, 'for the benefit of future generations'. For many, this is how archaeology should remain. A similar cultural conservatism lingered in the UK from the end of the Second World War until, arguably, 26 November 1976 when, according to musician Phil Oakey, the Second World War finally and abruptly came to an end. That was the day punk arrived with the thrashing of guitars and streams of abuse. But punk was about more than just the music. It was an ethos, a philosophy. Conventions were challenged and the old order gradually dismantled. Pre-1976 news footage now has the resemblance of ancient history. This semi-autobiographical introduction to a collection of essays that promotes new thinking on counter archaeologies wonders if that punk ethos could not have similar benefits for archaeology. Or perhaps it exists already, more than we care to realise.

Hybrids and heritage resources: rethinking the social foundation of historic environment records in England

“…As heritage is becoming increasingly mobile and open to interpretation, the historic environment sector can no longer focus simply on the ancient and aging. The rise of contemporary archeology studies and counter-archeology studies ( Schofield, 2017) shows that memory is becoming an increasingly important aspect. Our experience of the past, in a meaningful, capacious and communal sense, depends on our knowledge of the past, but recollection in societal terms requires the input of the public alongside the institution.…”

Reflections on the Use of Social Networking Sites as an Interactive Tool for Data Dissemination in Digital Archaeology

“…Additional digital neighbouring "disciplines" also exist, such as the highly independent, do-it-yourself and mainly self-funded punk archaeology, as well as digital geoarchaeology, digital history, digital literary history, digital musicology, or digital philology (e.g. Ghilardi, Desruelles, 2009;Graham et al, 2016;Gregory, 2014;Murrieta-Flores et al, 2017;Nichols, Altschul, 2012;Pugin, 2015;Schofield, 2017;Siart et al, 2017).…”