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Cited by 236Archaeology and Cultural HeritageCultural Heritage Management and PreservationHistorical and Cultural Archaeology Studies

Community Involvement in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Management: An Assessment from Case Studies in Southern Africa and Elsewhere

Chirikure, Shadreck, Pwiti, Gilbert·2008·Current Anthropology
DOI 10.1086/588496
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Abstract

Community archaeology has conferred an alternative dimension on conventional archaeology and heritage management, empowering previously powerless peoples, particularly the indigenous and local communities that have lost rights to their heritage through colonialism. So important has its impact been that there has been only limited reference in the literature to its problems. Examination of case studies from various parts of the world reveals that problems associated with defining what a community is and who is indigenous, coupled with the existence of multiple communities with multiple interests, have sometimes diminished the utility of the approach. In some cases, archaeologists and heritage managers have been unwilling to give up some of their powers and have continued to view local communities as only passive partners. In others, local communities have considered their views and concerns more important than those of the archaeologists. As a result, the so‐called equal partnerships between archaeologists and communities have disappointingly ended up as uneasy relationships. Without effective solutions to some of these problems, community archeology may remain a goal to be pursued rather than becoming standard practice.

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Authors
Chirikure, S., & Pwiti, G.
Venue
Current Anthropology
Publisher
University of Chicago Press
Published
2008-06
Volume
49
Issue
3
Pages
467-485
ISSN
  • 0011-3204 (ISSN-L)
  • 1537-5382
DOI
10.1086/588496
OpenAlex
W1515725030
Cited by
236
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 7
FWCI
40.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Current Anthropology (publishedVersion)
  • Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Cultural Studies › Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation
  • Social Sciences › Anthropology › Historical and Cultural Archaeology Studies
Keywords
community archaeology, heritage management, indigenous peoples, local communities, colonialism, community definition, indigenous identity, power relations, equal partnership, community participation

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