28th April 2011, 01:36 PM
Comarch Wrote:Archaeology produces knowledge of the past and knowledge cannot be 'owned'. Knowledge exists because it is shared. If it is not shared it does not exist. The features and artefacts found on a site are a means to an end not the end in itself. The question is who deseminates this knowledge to be shared in the community and how much of the community will be able to access it? Will it be professional field archaeologists? Will it be academics? Will the people accessing it be the usual suspects? It is no good just dumping the information on the web. Just like civilians cannot be 'protected' by bombing tanks. We have to get 'boots on the ground' and someone has to pay for this so that engagment with the community is constant and prolonged. The past will only then be part of the present within the fabric of our communities.
i think you will find that in law knowledge can be owned and that it does exist even if it isn't shared but i think i get what you are saying. clearly we agree on 'the means to an end' and i will take community to mean 'everybody'. i think 'dumping' is perjorative although i will concede publishing straightaway was unhelpful when i'm advocating an open accessable archive which everyone can engage with. this in no way detracts from community archaeology but enhances it.