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BAJR Host
BAJR
United Kingdom
5939 Posts |
 Posted - 26/04/2007 : 11:33:15
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I was sent a copy to review of this book, and after a good read I sat down to describe it to you..
quote:
Archaeology is a Brand! The meaning of archaeology in contemporary popular culture by Cornelius Holtorf. Illustrated by Quentin Drew.
After a couple of pages (the start is below)
quote:
Reviewing a book that was illustrated by an old friend from my past was worrying, where before I even opened the book I was willing it to be good, I need not have worried about this as the carefully researched, evenly balanced and well presented text of Cornelius Holtorf and the excellent cartoons, witty observations on the misconceptions and preconceptions of archaeology, illustrate the points being made. The addition of Flip to View Technology (buy the book to learn more) is a stroke of genius. However, to review a book properly, I feel I should stop gushing and look in more depth at the content.
We start off with an explanation as to why archaeology is interesting… sometimes we need reminded!
I realised that I might just give away everything you should buy the book for...
basically knowing who you are and how you are percieved (as well as how you present yourself) is essential today in archaeology..
I can say no more than buy the book... buy it... read it and learn from it... It is a book that has been waiting to be written - and I am glad that at last it has.
To quote the blurb... They do it so much better! 
The rise of public archaeology, the popularity of TV archaeology, and widespread stereotypes about the profession of archaeology have changed the way archaeologists relate to the public. A socially meaningful archaeology needs to take seriously where the popular demand and the appeal of archaeology actually lie. Arguably non-archaeologists know better what the subject is all about than most of its professionals do. This is the first full-length study of the meaning of archaeology in contemporary popular culture. It is fully illustrated with cartoons by Quentin Drew. In popular culture archaeology is associated with adventurous fieldwork, criminological clue-hunting, great revelations, and responsible care for threatened resources. The emphasis is on “doing” archaeology rather than on its actual results. Cornelius Holtorf argues in this provocative account of more than two years of research that archaeological companies and institutions are not in the business of understanding the past but of enhancing people’s lives through adventures, mysteries, and revelations and by offering a chance to care. Archaeology may be an academic discipline but even more so it is a widely recognized, positively valued and well underpinned brand. As we can expect from Cornelius Holtorf, the book contains not only its share of facts and analysis but also more than a few controversial arguments about the present and future roles of archaeology in society. It is unmissable for professional archaeologists working in the heritage sector as well as for students of archaeology, anthropology, heritage and museum studies, cultural studies, science studies, and related disciplines. --- Dr Cornelius Holtorf is Assistant Professor in Archaeology at the University of Lund in Sweden. Quentin Drew is a cartoonist as well as Lecturer in Archaeology and Director of Foundation Studies at the University of Wales, Lampeter.
But wher do I find this tome I hear you cry...
http://www.archaeopress.com/defaultOther.asp?QuickSearch=9781905739066
How much?? - £14.99
Enjoy.... I did!
"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu
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Archaeology is a Brand - the Book
