Antisocial media in archaeology?

Bibliographic Information

Article Title

Antisocial media in archaeology?

Journal Title

Archaeological Dialogues

Author(s)

Walker, Dominic

Month of Publication

December

Year of Publication

2014

Volume Number

21

Issue Number

2

Article Pages

217-235

Web Address (URL)

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/archaeological-dialogues/article/antisocial-media-in-archaeology/644CD55F2A0CF7A1E62CCC49292BEDC5

Additional Information

Available Through

CambridgeCore

Language

English

Notes

Abstract: An increasing number of individual archaeologists, archaeological organizations and institutions are using social media platforms for professional discussion and networking, research, public outreach and community archaeology. Proponents of social media have particularly pointed towards their potential for transforming the means of networking and communication in archaeology, and challenging traditional disciplinary expertise as archaeologists engage with more diverse and active online publics. This article provides a theoretically informed critical discussion, pointing towards the complex barriers to equal Internet access and usage, which challenge the ability of archaeologists to use social media as a tool to democratize the discipline. It concludes that, in many cases, social media appear to have reinforced archaeological authority at the expense of genuinely decentred engagement or collaboration. The article acts as a challenge to encourage further debate and empirically informed research in this emerging area of archaeological practice.

Taxonomies

RPA Codes & Standards

CIfA Codes

Keywords & Terms

Topics & Issues