Session organiser: Dominic Walker, Division of Archaeology, University of Cambridge.

In recent years, archaeologists have begun to engage more deeply with archaeology’s extra-disciplinary potential. This has been explored in theory and practice through a wide range of public archaeologies, including in collaborative, community and indigenous archaeological projects (e.g. Colwell-Chanthaphonh and Ferguson 2008; Walker 2011); museum studies (e.g. Peers and Brown 2003); archaeological heritage studies (e.g. Smith and Waterton 2009); and ethnographies of archaeological practice (e.g. Mortensen and Hollowell 2008). This programmatic debate has been felt most profoundly in countries like the U.S., Canada, and Australia, which have aboriginal nations and communities. However, some of the most challenging aspects of this programmatic debate remain under-explored, and their impact on archaeological theory and practice in the UK is unclear.

The papers in this session will critically reflect upon this current programmatic debate in archaeology, assessing topics including: the epistemological, ethical and moral challenges of engaging with extra-disciplinary expertise; the authority of archaeologists to talk about the past; archaeology as a discipline; the potentials and pitfalls of archaeology on the Internet; efforts by archaeology museums to engage with extra-archaeological communities; the appropriative nature of archaeology; the relevance of Indigenous and other critical archaeologies in the UK.

Abstracts for papers exploring any of these areas are welcome. Please submit abstracts of no more than 150 words to Dominic Walker (dw374[at]cam.ac.uk) by August 10th 2012.