Unforgettable Encounters: Understanding Participation in Italian Community Archaeology

By (author) Francesco Ripanti

Book cover: Unforgettable Encounters: Understanding Participation in Italian Community Archaeology

Extent: 258 pages

Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing

Subjects: Italian Studies, Mediterranean Archaeology, World Archaeology

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(October 2022)

ISBN: 9781803273464

7.99 x 10.87 inches

Price: $68.00

In stock

Whether as excavators and re-enactors, or co-organising research campaigns and outreach activities, the participation of the general public in archaeology has become a well-represented practice, but the impact remains underexplored. Evaluating participation can influence fieldwork practice and enrich the academic discussion on public


Far from being a discipline focusing on the past, archaeology has boundless potential for engaging with people in the present. Encounters between archaeologists and the public with different pasts have the potential to create diverse participative dynamics. From the involvement of citizens as excavators and re-enactors to the co-organisation of research campaigns and outreach activities, public participation in archaeology has become a well-represented practice, fully incorporated into European and national cultural policies. However, the impact of this practice remains underexplored. Unforgettable Encounters demonstrates how evaluating participation can critically influence daily practice on fieldwork, enrich the academic discussion in public archaeology, and inform the decision-making process in community-based planning. The book proposes an operational workflow, aiming to serve as a benchmark for archaeologists delivering collaborative programs in excavation-based projects. It offers a flexible set of tools, analyses, and visualisation boards which can provide a range of information about public participation and can inform the daily practice of fieldwork and the development of community projects. Three Italian case studies present the application of the operational workflow, testing its flexibility and effectiveness. By focusing on Italian community archaeology, this book aims to raise awareness of the importance of evaluating public participation in a country where this commitment has always been evident-especially in excavations-but where research on community archaeology itself has developed only in the last few years.

Introduction 1. Participation in archaeology Introducing participation Defining the fields of study Exploring participation Excavation as a contact zone 2. Public and community archaeology in Italy Before public and community archaeology 'Archeologia pubblica' Excavation and participation at sites in Italian archaeology 3. Methodological framework Introduction Workflow 4. Case studies overview Selection of case studies Massaciuccoli Romana Poggio del Molino Vignale 5. Exploring participation Massaciuccoli Romana Poggio del Molino Vignale 6. Understanding participation Social Network Analysis (SNA) Participation polarised chart Understanding encounters From research to governance Conclusion Appendix I. Description of interviews and focus groups Appendix II. Data collection techniques Appendix III. Cross tables Reference list, Introduction ;

1. Participation in archaeology ;

Introducing participationDefining the fields of studyExploring participationExcavation as a contact zone 2. Public and community archaeology in Italy ;

Before public and community archaeology‘Archeologia pubblica’Excavation and participation at sites in Italian archaeology 3. Methodological framework ;

IntroductionWorkflow 4. Case studies overview ;

Selection of case studiesMassaciuccoli RomanaPoggio del MolinoVignale 5. Exploring participation ;

Massaciuccoli RomanaPoggio del MolinoVignale 6. Understanding participation ;

Social Network Analysis (SNA)Participation polarised chartUnderstanding encountersFrom research to governanceConclusion Appendix I. Description of interviews and focus groups ;

Appendix II. Data collection techniques ;

Appendix III. Cross tables ;

Reference list

  • By (author) Francesco Ripanti