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Discovering the Archaeologists of Europe

Authors:
  • Landward Research Ltd

Abstract

Discovering the Archaeologists of Europe is a major research project that examined the archaeological labour market, qualifications and opportunities for archaeologists to enjoy transnational mobility across twelve European Union member states. The research was carried out in 2007-08 and was primarily funded by the European Commission through the Lifelong Learning Programme (Leonardo da Vinci II strand).
... While these data are specific to the UK, the problems highlighted are not. Where comparable statistics exist elsewhere, such as in America (albeit a rather dated survey: Zeder 1997), Canada (Overholtzer & Jalbert 2021), Australia (Ulm et al. 2013) and across Europe (Aitchison et al. 2014), gender imbalances, particularly in senior and professorial roles, predominate in archaeology, as does a binary view of gender and a marked lack of ethnic diversity and disability across the archaeological profession (for a fuller discussion of these statistics, see Cobb & Croucher 2020, 93-102). ...
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This paper explores the potential of posthumanist feminism in archaeology. We find ourselves exhausted in the face of the continuing inequalities in our discipline and the volatile political times we live in, where discrimination and xenophobia, entangled with the patriarchy, create a toxic mix. In the face of this, we draw inspiration from ongoing activism within archaeology and the emergence of posthumanist feminism beyond archaeology. We consider the juxtaposition between activism in the discipline and the lack of engagement with the same issues in our theory. Posthumanist feminism is explored as a way to unite theory and activism. It connects to and builds on existing feminisms but is argued to differ in three ways: first, posthumanist feminism widens the scope of those for whom we should be working to achieve equality; second, it suggests radical shifts in our ontology are necessary to bring about equality; third, it develops an alternative approach to difference. We explore the potential for posthumanist feminism to reshape narratives about the past, the way we do archaeology, and archaeological activism. In each, the aim is to turn away from the majoritarian subject and to make space for multiple alternative voices to emerge and thrive in archaeology.
... eu. In addition to these, two transnational reports were produced—one comparing the results across the 12 states (Aitchison 2009a) and one comparing quali fi cations (Collis 2009) . ...
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One of the principal objectives of the European Union (EU) is to allow the free movement of labour. In the early years of the twenty-first century, increasing numbers of archaeologists sought to take advantage of opportunities other than their own, and the Discovering the Archaeologists of Europe project sought to examine how this mobility of individual workers was affecting archaeological practice in Europe.
... The 2007-08 study was also part of a larger Discovering the Archaeologists of Europe project (Aitchison 2009a), which collected comparable data in twelve European states. This has allowed the UK profession's position within an international industry (and market) to be identified. ...
Book
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Comprehensive Labour Market Intelligence for the archaeological profession has now been gathered for the fourth time in the series of Profiling the Profession studies. This baseline survey used the same fundamental methodology that was previously employed in 1997-98, 2002-03 and 2007-08, and consequently a time-series dataset has been compiled which allows trends to be identified with increasing confidence. The previous labour market intelligence gathering exercise for the sector (in 2007-08) was undertaken immediately before the effects of significant global and national economic changes began to affect archaeological employment. The economic transformation since 2007-08 significantly affected employment in archaeology, resulting in the sector being considerably smaller in 2012-13 than it was in 2007-08. With an overall response rate of 224 from a population of 511 potential respondents contacted, at a confidence level of 95% this level of response is accurate to +/- 4.9%.
Chapter
This chapter sets out the topic of the book and the issues to be addressed. It focuses on a discussion of how to approach the task of defining ‘archaeology’ and ‘archaeologist’ for the purposes of the work, the notion of archaeology as a set of practices, and ultimately archaeology as a realm of specifically ethical practice, a theme that runs through and informs the entire book. The chapter emphasises that archaeology is both an arena of qualified professionals but also of amateurs who undertake archaeology for love, is an employment sector but also a craft, and that overarching all this is the key argument of the book—that archaeology is important.
Chapter
During the last 25-30 years, archaeological gender research has changed the androcentric image of prehistory, created an awareness of the diversity of gender concepts of the past and challenged the public's image of archaeologists. But has it also influenced the general public's ideas about the past? This paper looks at the portrayal of prehistoric people in museum exhibitions, newspaper articles, school textbooks, video games, etc. It also aims to initiate a debate about the impact that representations of the past in the popular media have on today's gender discourses and whether we as experts can and want to influence them.
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This book is a revised and updated version of the monograph Historija arheologije u novim zemljama Jugoistočne Evrope, originally published in Sarajevo in the Bosnian language. It is divided into chapters dedicated to the seven new countries created after the break-up of Yugoslavia and their archaeologies, with the final chapter reflecting the concept of ‘Yugoslav’ archaeology. Each chapter starts with a brief geographical, archaeological and historical introduction of the country in question. In the English edition, these parts are somewhat enlarged to help readers who are not well acquainted with the geography, archaeology and history of the region to contextualise the subject of study better. The main goal of the monograph is a reflection on the development of archaeology and the historical, social and cultural conditions of its knowledge.
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This study focuses on the organization of preventive archaeology in Romania and several other European countries over the last fifteen years. It provides data comparing the number and density of archaeological sites in Romania identified as a result of large-scale investment projects. It also discusses some important aspects regarding the financial and human resources involved in preventive archaeological excavations in Romania and other European countries. The paper attempts to outline the steps that need to be taken in Romania to ensure the continuing preservation of archaeology. These are: 1. A proper understanding of the importance of certain sites in comparison to others; 2. An accurate understanding of the importance of Article 9 of the Valletta Convention, which focuses on the concept of ‘public awareness’; 3. Prioritizing archaeological projects with useful results; 4. The creation of accurate digital databases, using GIS platforms. Ultimately, it is argued that we need to excavate, but we need even more to preserve, capitalize, and promote the archaeological patrimony, to facilitate the access of the public to archaeological sites, and to make people understand why it is crucial to protect our monuments.
Book
Full-text available
Comprehensive Labour Market Intelligence for the archaeological profession has now been gathered for the fourth time in the series of Profiling the Profession studies. This baseline survey used the same fundamental methodology that was previously employed in 1997‐98, 2002‐03 and 2007‐08, and consequently a time‐series dataset has been compiled which allows trends to be identified with increasing confidence. The previous labour market intelligence gathering exercise for the sector (in 2007‐08) was undertaken immediately before the effects of significant global and national economic changes began to affect archaeological employment. The economic transformation since 2007‐08 significantly affected employment in archaeology, resulting in the sector being considerably smaller in 2012‐13 than it was in 2007‐08. With an overall response rate of 224 from a population of 511 potential respondents contacted, at a confidence level of 95% this level of response is accurate to +/‐ 4.9%.
Article
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Archaeology in 2009 is being adversely affected by a global economic crisis. This has followed a period of successful expansion of practice in many countries, and is now leading to reductions in budgets and job losses. Countries that have adopted a market-facing, commercial system to deliver archaeological management have been more seriously affected than those where the state has retained control over this process. In many states, capital expenditure by governments on infrastructure projects is supporting some archaeological practice. Government commitment to funding archaeological practice is likely to be unsustainable in the long-term, and post-crisis a return to private-sector funding of flexible commercial archaeological practice can be expected.
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Becoming an Archaeologist: A Guide to Professional Pathways is an engaging handbook on career paths in the area of archaeology. It outlines in straightforward fashion the entire process of getting a job in archaeology, including the various options; the training that is required; and how to get positions in the academic, commercial and government worlds. It also includes discussion of careers in related heritage professions such as museums and conservation societies. The book includes a series of interviews with real archaeologists, all young professionals who began their careers within the last ten years. These insider guides offer essential tips on how they got their first job and progressed in their careers. Written in an accessible style, the book is essential reading for anyone interested in the realities of archaeology in the 21st century.
Discovering the archaeologists of Europe: Austria. http:// www. discovering-archaeologists. eu/ national_ reports/ DISCO_ national_ Austria_ English. final. pdf
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The labour market for archaeologists in Belgium 2007-08. http:// www. discovering-archaeologists. eu/ national_ reports/ DISCO_ national_ Belgium_ English_ final. pdf. In Flemish: http:// www. discovering-archaeologists. eu/ national_ reports/ DISCO_ national_ Belgium_ Flemish_ final. pdf
  • M Lodewijckx
Discovering the archaeologists of Europe The case of Cyprus
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Discovering the archaeologists of Europe: Greece. http:// www. discovering-archaeologists. eu/ national_ reports/ DISCO_ EL_ national_ English. pdf. In Greek: http:// www. discovering-archaeologists
  • P Pantos
  • A Papadimitriou
  • A Kossyva