Archaeology and public benefit: Moving the debate forward

by Sadie Watson (editor)

The papers presented at the 2020 EAC Symposium reflect the challenges and opportunities development-led archaeology presents in terms of public benefit. As outlined in the Valletta Convention, the public must be the key beneficiaries of archaeological work and the theoretical concept of public benefit has become well recognized across archaeology but there is still some way to go to fully understand and maximize its potential. The 21st EAC Symposium asked attendees to reflect upon the challenge of positively shaping the future and embedding the concept of public benefit into our practice; from project inception through design and implementation to outcomes and outputs. This volume explores a wide range of topics, from the responsibilities of a state body to ensure public benefit from sites and monuments to the various complex issues surrounding private development, public regulatory frameworks and the role of archaeologists in embedding and providing meaningful public benefit.

Table of Contents

SADIE Introduction/Foreword
BARNEY Making the Case for the Public Benefits of Development-Led Archaeology
ERICH CLAßEN AND MARTIN VOLLMER-KÖ Roman Water Pipeline Approved for ‘Adoption’ – Public Engagement, Awareness and Benefit from a Development-Led Archaeology Project
MAURICE F. A Case Study in Archaeology and Public Benefit from an Urban Excavation in an Old Brewery, Cork City, Ireland
JOHN D. J. O’ Archaeology 2030: A Strategic Approach for Northern Ireland
RIČARDAS Archaeology and the History of the Lithuanian Resistance in the 19th and 20th In Search of the Public Benefit
O. CERBONE, A. GARRISI, M. GIORGIO, C. LA SERRA, V. LEONELLI AND G. MANCA DI Italian Heritage, Protection and Enhancement
MEI Development-Led or “Preventive” Archaeology in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
LYUDMIL VAGALINSKI AND MILENA Bulgarian Development-Led Archaeology in the Public Eye. Reception, Reactions, Possible Solutions
AGNIESZKA A Tricky Subject – Archaeology in Opinion Polls on Cultural Heritage. Recent Examples from Poland
PASCAL Shared Archaeological The European Archaeology Days
ULLA How Quickly Should Public Benefit Come from Archaeology? Availability, Use And Influence on Results of the Estonian Salvage and Metal Detector Study
ADAM SINGLE AND LOUISE Prehistory, Playhouses and the Public. London’s Planning Archaeology
SADIE Public The Challenge for Development-Led Archaeology in the UK
BRENDON WILKINS, CHRIS CASSWELL, MAGGIE ENO, JODIE HANNIS, MAIYA PINA-DACIER, HARRIET TATTON AND JOHANNA UNGEMACH (DIGVENTURES): Social Impact Pontefract Castle and the Gatehouse Project
LINDA Public Benefit as Community Wellbeing in Archaeology
KENNETH No More Polluter Pays Opportunities and Challenges of Public Benefit Provision in UK Development-Led Archaeology
ALEXANDER Development-Led Archaeology and Public Benefit from a Swedish Perspective
MONIQUE H. VAN DEN The Public Benefits of Archaeology According to the Public

220 pages, Paperback

Published January 31, 2024