Karl Wennerberg

About Karl’s Research:

This project will explore strategies that take an active approach to countering exclusionary narratives derived from archaeology by utilising the past for progressive discussions and counternarratives.

The last few decades have seen a growing body of work on politically engaged archaeological practises; archaeologies that aim to have a relevant contribution to tackling contemporary political and social issues. There is a consensus that public and community engagement plays a pivotal role to successfully engage in such issues through archaeology. However, the meaning of ‘engagement’ and ‘participation’ is often poorly defined, and some argue that elements of collaborative practise and theory have left archaeologists unable to challenge pernicious narratives based in archaeology.

This research project investigates the conditions for progressive outcomes to arise in politically engaged archaeologies. Specifically, the study seeks to explain the role of different modes of public and community engagement in realising socially and politically relevant outcomes. The project will use qualitative methods in a multiple case study to explore a diverse range of projects that engage in political and social issues of the present through archaeology, and which utilise a variety of different public engagement modes.