Tribal versus Academic Archaeology: Power Dynamics and Cultural Sensitivity

Over recent years archaeology has developed into an increasingly scientific and specialised/professionalised method of collecting the material evidence of the past. Therefore personal memories, local myths and community traditions often go unresearched and unrecorded by archaeologists. However with the recent economic downturn affecting developer-financed, commercial archaeological projects, and the growth in funded heritage themed investigations there is now greater room than ever for oral history to be included as part of the archaeological process. This has resulted in an increased community involvement in archaeology in the form of oral history, and particularly memories related to place (Moshenska 2007). The memories of oral history participants provide a more personal and private interpretation of the archaeology uncovered during excavation. This has been particularly relevant to the exploration, remembrance and memorialisation of traumatic events in individuals’ lives (Andrews et al. 2006).