Creating a Political Base for Archaeology: The Greater Manchester Experience
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2017-04-27

The underlying assumption of this paper is that all archaeology is political at some level and that all archaeologists need to be activists in their own areas in order to protect and improve access to archaeology. Drawing on 36 years of experience this case study will look at the problems of maintaining links with a constant array of changing local politicians, the role of museums as a hub for volunteers, and the value or perceived lack of value of archaeology amongst large regional stakeholders (HLF, universities, developers). Along the way we shall touch upon the rise and fall of archaeology units, the encouragement of local societies and groups, and the role of professional and academic archaeologists in engaging with the public through archaeology projects such as Dig Greater Manchester and Whitworth Park. The key message of this paper is that we cannot rely on other sectors to assume that archaeology is innately ‘a good thing’. Academic and professional archaeologists need to foster volunteer networks, and volunteers need to engage with academics and professionals in order to lobby for the protection of the past and so ensure that archaeology is for all.’

Mike Nevell, University of Salford