Engaging with archaeology : a study on the relationship between local people and the excavation of the 'Villa of Augustus' in Somma Vesuviana (Italy)
The underlying aim of this thesis is to reconsider the subject of public archaeology, as it today seems to search for new directions in which to develop, reflecting the current state of flux in archaeology. The thesis builds on a case study that investigates the relationship between local people and the excavation of the 'Villa of Augusts' in Somma Vesuviana, Italy, carried out by a team of Japanese archaeologists. The case study highlights various ways in which local people in Somma Vesuviana engaged with the archaeology of the Villa: knowing about the Villa; visiting its excavation; contextualising the Villa on the site; interpreting the Villa and the excavation project according to special interest and stake in it; associating the Villa with a local legend; talking and writing about and using the Villa, which resulted in strengthening the old/historical sense of the town; identifying with the Villa through the concept of the local; and making a value judgement of the Japanese excavation project. The results of the case study research indicate that public archaeologists should study and understand the public in detail and, at the same time, carry out outreach work and involve themselves in socio-political
Matsuda, A.
Engaging with archaeology : a study on the relationship between local people and the excavation of the 'Villa of Augustus' in Somma Vesuviana (Italy). The underlying aim of this thesis is to reconsider the subject of public archaeology, as it today seems to search for new directions in which to develop, reflecting the current state of flux in archaeology. The thesis builds on a case study that investigates the relationship between local people and the excavation of the 'Villa of Augusts' in Somma Vesuviana, Italy, carried out by a team of Japanese archaeologists. The case study highlights various ways in which local people in Somma Vesuviana engaged with the archaeology of the Villa: knowing about the Villa; visiting its excavation; contextualising the Villa on the site; interpreting the Villa and the excavation project according to special interest and stake in it; associating the Villa with a local legend; talking and writing about and using the Villa, which resulted in strengthening the old/historical sense of the town; identifying with the Villa through the concept of the local; and making a value judgement of the Japanese excavation project. The results of the case study research indicate that public archaeologists should study and understand the public in detail and, at the same time, carry out outreach work and involve themselves in socio-political
engaging archaeology study relationship local_people excavation villa augustus italy underlie aim reconsider subject public archaeology today seem search new_direction develop reflect current_state flux archaeology build case_study investigate_relationship local_people excavation villa italy carry team japanese archaeologist case_study highlight various_way local_people engage archaeology villa knowing villa visit excavation contextualising villa site interpret villa excavation project accord special_interest stake associate villa local legend talk write use villa result strengthen old historical sense town identify villa concept local make value judgement japanese excavation project case_study indicate public archaeologist study public detail time carry outreach work involve socio_political