Towards a definition and practice of communal archaeology: Ethics, informal learning, and citizen science in the practice of indigenous archaeology

ABSTRACT Community or public archaeology acknowledges that there should be interaction between archaeologists and the general public. The nature of these relationships, however, are seldom considered in a direct manner. This article takes a phenomenological approach to the practice of archaeology with public interaction using an NSF-funded Informal Science Education (ISE) project as an example. Pre- and post-participation assessment showed that informal learning and a heterarchical relationship between scientist, research assistants, and the public leads to successful and efficient transmission of knowledge, skills, and scientific values, and inspires different levels of involvement. The experiences developed through the course of the project lead to the proposal of ‘Communal Archaeology’. ISE and a frame of mind open to learning from the public can bridge the gap between academia and communities. Sharing the tools of discovery gives communities the power to discover and share their own past, and consequently the will to protect it.