Collaborate, Condemn, or Ignore? : Responding to Non-Archaeological Approaches to Archaeological Heritage

What do archaeologists do when approached by groups or individuals with unorthodox, or even simply inappropriate, approaches to, and ideas about the past? What should they do? While much guidance and literature points to education and engagement, in some of the more sensitive or difficult cases it is often more appealing, and simpler, to ignore the issue, in the hopes that it will simply go away. Similarly, on occasions when archaeologists step forward to criticize alternative approaches to archaeological heritage, this does not always meet with positive or desired results. In this paper, in light of recent personal experience with a controversial piece of television programming, I discuss different approaches to responding to challenges to the expertise (and authority) of archaeologists by problematic encounters with concepts of the past. I suggest that while there are arguments in support of (and against) all three of the approaches that I identify (collaboration, condemnation, or ignoring), none provide an absolute solution. In order to discuss these approaches, I draw upon key cases from the literature, as well as personal reflection.Peer reviewe

Comments on Josephine Munch Rasmussen : 'Securing Cultural Heritage Objects and Fencing Stolen Goods? A Case Study on Museums and Metal Detecting in Norway' Metal Detecting in Norway Receives Long Overdue Attention

As has been seen over the past decade, the research of metal detecting as a hobby has begun to develop like never before. By this, what I mean is research in terms of looking beyond the archaeological impact of metal detecting (while not ignoring this important aspect), in order to analyse the individuals themselves and to begin to understand the different drivers that motivate metal detecting enthusiasts.Peer reviewe

Event Review: Archaeology Day : Anadarko, Oklahoma, USA, Wichita Tribal History Center, 15th September 2018

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Responsible Metal Detecting

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Exhibition review : ‘Videogames: Design/Play/Disrupt,’ Victoria & Albert Museum, London. September 8, 2018-February 24, 2019

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London ran a special temporary exhibition about videogames. The exhibition, titled Videogames: Design/Play/Disrupt, focused in particular on the design elements involved in creating videogames, and the growing mainstream prevalence of gaming as a digital culture, and as popular culture in general. Particularly striking was the sheer materiality of the creative process that goes into designing videogames, and the exhibition layout and opportunities for participation were conducive to a lot of visitor interaction with both the exhibits and with each other.Non peer reviewe

Lapland's dark heritage

In this short article, I start with a brief overview of the local history of the area that we have studies, and then describe different examples of 'dark heritage' engagement that we have encountered. What they mean for future treatment of the wartime material heritage in Finnish Lapland remains to be seen

Vulnerable by Design : Theft and Finnish Architecture

This paper examines the apparently growing phenomenon of architectural and design theft in Finland. Finnish design is world-renowned, with key architects and designers, not least the iconic modernist Alvar Aalto, achieving recognition and admiration on a global level. Many key modernist buildings within Finland are protected by various laws, as are, in some cases, their internal fi xtures, and objects of design over fi fty years of age of which a limited series has been produced legally require an export licence. However, in recent years the demand overseas for vintage Nordic design seems to have led to architectural theft and illegal exportation. Vulnerable objects range from easy-to-remove door handles through to entire sets of railings, meaning that original furniture in public buildings is no longer safe. This paper discusses the possible causes for this phenomenon, examines the legal protection available for key design, and suggests possible measures for increasing protection of this twentieth-century cultural heritage. A number of signifi cant and recent case studies, particularly centrinPeer reviewe

Representing difficult histories and contested heritage in museums

Published together with University of Jyväskylä/Open Science Centre.Museums are one source of leisure, with visits forming activities for local community members in their free time, as well as touristic attractions for visitors on vacation. For many people, museums are also a source of knowledge and they perceive them to be an authority from which they expect to receive verified information. This can take place for example through organized school and college visits, visits made in free time or through participation in museum-led projects and events. Therefore the decisions that museums make about how to present history, and what (or more importantly whose) history they present – and what strategies they employ to present this history – have the potential to inform and influence perspectives on the past in the present. When this contains difficult memories connected to warfare, atrocities or discrimination and oppression based on ethnicity, gender or anything else, museums have to be especially mindful of how they treat and present these topics. In this chapter, I explore some of the frameworks informing representation in museums and use case studies from within Finland and from elsewhere. I investigate some of the ethical questions that emerge around the politics of representation. While there are no hard and fast answers to how museums should engage with difficult and painful history, I suggest reflection upon the impacts of challenging public perceptions through innovative approaches to museum display. These themes also intersect with the wider question of the social responsibility of museums.Peer reviewe

Introduction

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Editorial

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