The Many Publics for Archaeology

Throughout the world, public agencies, professional societies, and individual archaeologists have recognized the need for more and better public education about archaeology. We are challenged to act on this recognition by providing opportunities for the public to learn about, and even participate in, archaeological interpretations and investigations. The audiences for these efforts include the general public, students and teachers, legislators, public administrators, and Native Americans. Archaeology has been a subject of interest to the public for centuries, and the archaeological record has fascinated people for even longer. Contemporary archaeologists must reach out to the public by providing them with understandable interpretations and explanations. We must do this if appreciation for archaeology and for the importance of archaeological preservation is to grow in America.

全球范围内，公共机构、专业学术社团以及个体考古学者均已意识到，亟需开展更多优质的考古学公众教育工作。我们需以这一认知为指引付诸行动，为公众提供了解乃至参与考古阐释与考古调查的契机，以此应对相关挑战。此类考古科普工作的受众涵盖普通民众、师生群体、立法人员、公共行政管理人员以及美国原住民。数百年来，考古学始终是公众关注的议题，而考古记录本身更早已令世人着迷。当代考古学者必须通过向公众传递通俗易懂的阐释与解说，搭建与大众沟通的桥梁。若要在美国社会提升公众对考古学的认可度，并强化大众对于考古保护重要性的认知，我们必须落实上述举措。