From the ground up: Experiencing Romania through excavations at Halmyris in the Danube Delta
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2017-03-28

The concept of archaeological tourism, or tourism based on the experiencing of an ‘authentic’ past through the viewing of archaeological sites (Timothy and Boyd 2006), is a distinctly Western phenomenon derived from nationalist capitalism which encourages heritage consumption (Rowan and Baram 2004). There are obvious challenges in the display of heritage specifically for monetary profit, a practice which often silences alternative versions of the past (see e.g. Waitt 2000). This does not, however, negate the potential benefits for archaeological tourism, rather it gives us an opportunity for finding new ways of encouraging a more holistic cross-cultural interaction. This paper presents one potential good practice example— an ongoing project in Romania advocating for cultural awareness by encouraging a participatory version of archaeological tourism through field school attendance.
Since 2012 an international management team has run a not-for-profit archaeological field school at Halmyris, a Roman legionary fort in the Danube Delta. The costs for student volunteers are kept minimal and with an average of 25-30 participants each season we are able to independently finance the excavations and sustain the program. We do attract a number of undergraduates, MA students, and PhD students from archaeology and related disciplines; however, since 2014 we have had 10 volunteers who are decidedly atypical. Ranging from 54 years old to 77, and hailing from New Zealand, Australia, North America, France, and the UK we find our project decidedly enhanced by the presence of retired folk eager for new life experiences. They have chosen to help excavate a site which goes a step past comparatively passive tourism to what I term participatory archaeological tourism. By engaging directly with excavations at Halmyris this demographic is able to not only live alongside rural Danubian fishermen, but gain new skills and most importantly a newfound understanding of heritage displays and the social context of the past. I believe this is one model which may be of use for other developing projects looking to finance excavation and engage alternative audiences. In this paper I will examine both the challenges and the benefits for the project in welcoming this demographic of field volunteers, and reflect on the unique experience of Romania they are able to gain through participatory archaeological tourism.
Rowan, Y. and Baram, U. eds. 2004. Marketing Heritage: Archaeology and the Consumption of the Past. Walnut Creek:
AltaMira Press.
Timothy, D.J. and Boyd, S.W., 2006. Heritage tourism in the 21st century: Valued traditions and new perspectives. Journal of
heritage tourism, 1(1), pp.1-16.
Waitt, G., 2000. Consuming heritage: Perceived historical authenticity. Annals of tourism research, 27(4), pp.835-862.

Author - Hanscam, Emily, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom (Presenting author)