Revistas de JAS Arqueología
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Offa's Dyke in the Landscape: Comparative Size and Topographical Disposition as Indicators of Function
No full textDespite the large volume of published work on Offa’s Dyke there is no settled conclusion as to its original purpose. Many different and often conflicting theories exist, most of which can be put into three broad categories: defensive, political and economic. It is generally accepted that the monument’s disposition relative to the adjacent topography is significant for interpretations of purpose. In this article, field survey and GIS mapping techniques are applied with respect to the comparative size and topographical disposition of a stretch of central Offa’s Dyke in order to examine its utility as a defensive structure. This allows a re-evaluation of claims by Hill and Worthington (2003), among others, that the route of Offa’s Dyke was designed to optimise outlook by following the west facing brow of hills, or more generally to ‘command’ the western landscape. Evidence reported here shows that central Offa’s Dyke does not consistently prioritise western views. Instead, it was positioned in such a way as to often obscure westerly vistas, despite the opportunity to optimise such an outlook by relatively minor route adjustments. On the basis of the evidence reported, discussed in the context of the wider literature, it is concluded that central Offa’s Dyke should be interpreted as a physical obstacle rather than a defensive fortification. After a brief consideration of alternative theories of purpose it is suggested that Offa’s Dyke was most likely built with economic and political, rather than defensive, functions in mind. It is postulated that control of trade provides a plausible context for its construction
How do I see Public Archaeology in ten years in Peru
No full textWhile thinking about how Public Archaeology would be in ten years from now in Peru, I just realized that it has been almost ten years since we held the first International Symposium of Public Archaeology in 2011 in Lima city. At that time, the concept of Public Archaeology was mostly unknown by local researchers, but there was an increasing interest, especially among young scholars. This interest contrasted with the few spaces to discuss the situation of archaeological remains in the present, their use and their relation to modern population. All these topics were considered outside of the idea of “academic archaeologyâ€, regarding them as just practical issues relate not worthy of deep analysis, and usually related to outreach activities like education or heritage management. Therefore, this Symposium became an important milestone to open a new world of possibilities for the archaeological field in Peru, especially after the creation of the Ministry of Culture in 2010
‘Public Archaeology in 10 years? We will hopefully learn to share more, and better’
No full textDo we need a roadmap to the future? Or do we ‘wing it’, making it up as we go along? Big questions, but never more important than now, in this current time of uncertainty.Let’s start small, and refocus the question on our professional and scholarly area of interest and activities. While the future of the world of work certainly looks different – will robots do digging, recording and interpretation work in 2030?-  I think that the key to prepare suitable strategies for going forward is to be clear about our purpose(s). For what, and for whom, are we and will we be doing research and knowledge sharing? With whom will we operate and work in our capacity as scholars, practitioners, teachers? Even asking why do archaeology may seem straightforward now, but it isn’t. At least, it shouldn’t be
“Let's send millions of qualified public archaeology cadres to the new museums and commercial units!â€
No full textAn obsession with origins is a hallmark of pseudoarchaeology, while the celebration of arbitrary anniversaries is one of the more meaningless conceits of the heritage industry. In that spirit, I would like to wish a happy tenth anniversary to AP: Online Journal in Public Archaeology, and to extend my warmest congratulations to the editorial team
Public Archaeology: the loss of innocence
No full textIn 1973, David Clarke’s seminal article ‘Archaeology: the loss of innocence’ appeared in Antiquity, to herald, epitomise, and articulate a paradigm shift that was reshaping the entire discipline of archaeology as it embraced new tools, methods, and theories. The present short contribution is immeasurably more modest in scope, and only borrows Clarke’s title in homage to his lasting influence. It will argue that the specific domain of action and encounter that we gather under the rubric of Public Archaeology is itself on the cusp of undergoing a ‘loss of innocence’ of a different kind. For the purpose of this conversation, Public Archaeology will be understood in its widest possible sense, to embrace the way people anywhere may relate to the past, and the influence that the past and attitudes to the past may have on the lives of people today. It will consider some of the impacts and consequences of the internet and the World Wide Web, which of course deserve a much more thorough discussion than is possible here, and which should be read as a shorthand for some of the wider sea changes that we are witnessing
Public Archaeology in Nepal: Now and in the next 10 years
Full text linkIn Nepal – and perhaps true in other South Asian countries as well, the term ‘public archaeology’ is not very frequently used among heritage professionals. Though it exists in limited use, largely the heritage practice including archaeology in Nepal is experts or authority driven. Perhaps the primary reason for this is the lack of a critical mass of archaeologists and broader heritage practitioners as well as a general lack of awareness among the public. There are disciplinary crisis situations prevalent across heritage related studies and practice areas in Nepal. However, with the increasing landscape of academic programmes and professional awareness among younger generations, we can be hopeful. Hence, I would expect that we will be able to create sufficient interests among students and younger professionals towards archaeology and heritage
Modeling Municipal Heritage Management
Full text linkThe resources medium-sized municipalities allocate in the process of both creating and maintaining instruments for heritage management have increased in the last decades. There are first and foremost legal reasons for this, as European national laws translate societal concerns on the preservation and commodification of the past. Sustainable solutions may be achieved through the understanding of heritage assets, and their use in the support of responsible, data-driven choices. This paper analyses a case of local tangible heritage administration in Oliveira de Azeméis, Portugal
LA BIOGRAFÃA ARQUITECTÓNICA: UNA ALTERNATIVA PARA CARACTERIZAR LOS ASENTAMIENTOS ILERGETES DURANTE LA ÉPOCA DE CONQUISTA
Full text linkResumen: La conquista de la PenÃnsula Ibérica, originó en el nordeste peninsular la hibridación cultural entre dos etnias bien diferenciadas, conocidas como los pueblos ibéricos y los romanos, cuya plasmación más impresionante se dio en los cambios arquitectónicos de los asentamientos indÃgenas a partir de época republicana.El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido analizar dichas alteraciones en las planimetrÃas originales, tomando como muestra cinco poblados ilergetes de las zonas de interior, repartidos entre tres comarcas actuales diferenciadas geográficamente.Sometiendo a examen  dichas estructuras se ha pretendido no sólo analizar los cambios funcionales y estructurales, sino también establecer una categorización mediante un eje cronológico y geográfico, ofreciendo una imagen lo más completa posible de las variaciones en los patrones de poblamiento desde el siglo III a.C. hasta el cambio de Era, amén de los cambios coyunturales que acompañaron a este proceso
Grim's Ditch, Wansdyke, and the Ancient Highways of England: Linear Monuments and Political Control
No full textPublished first in 2007, Tim Malim's review of Grim's Ditch and Wansdyke provides a valuable synthesis and exploration of key issues of wider application regarding the relationship between linear earthworks, movement, territoriality and politics in the later prehistoric and early historic societies in Britain. The author provides a new introduction, while the article has been revised to the format of the Offa's Dyke Journal by the editors