An Introduction to Museum Archaeology

A practical, extensively referenced resource covering all aspects of museum archaeology.

Hedley Swain (Author)

9780521860765, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 1 October 2007

394 pages, 5 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm, 0.648 kg

'An Introduction to Museum Archaeology is an accessible account of museum archaeology in England, as seen by one of its most active and visible exponents. … Usefully, each chapter contains a short list of key texts and the museums and exhibitions cited in this book are included in an appendix …' Antiquity

An Introduction to Museum Archaeology provides a comprehensive survey and synthesis of all aspects of current museum practice in relation to the discipline of archaeology. Drawing heavily on examples it deconstructs the different challenges posed by trying to tell archaeological stories in museum buildings, and on related sites. The final section sums up the state of museum archaeology in the early 21st century and discusses the major issues it is currently confronting. There is also a detailed list of every museum and exhibit mentioned in the book, with a Web address and an exhaustive list of references. An Introduction to Museum Archaeology provides an essential text for anyone studying museums, archaeology or cultural heritage and a reference for those working in these fields. It is full of detailed information, and discusses concepts and provides the context for current debates.

Part I. Introduction: 1. What for whom?
2. Origins and influences
3. Current aims, scope, and theory
4. The legal framework
5. Geographic scope
Part II. Collections: 6. Archaeological collections
7. Excavation archives
8. Human remains
9. Research
10. Conservation and collections care
Part III. Interpretation: 11. The visiting public
12. Displaying archaeology: methods
13. Displaying archaeology: examples
14. Schools, public and community programmes
Part IV. Conclusions: 15. Conclusions
16. Museums mentioned in text.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC], Archaeology [HD], Museology & heritage studies [GM]