Activism from the Archives: Changing Narratives to Engage New Communities

Abstract

Archival resources are a key part of disseminating a vision of archaeological heritage that captures the public imagination, engages a wider audience, and dictates the narrative of disciplinary history. The successes of the TrowelBlazers project show there is tremendous scope to reset imaginations and the popular conception of archaeology. This chapter will outline how a completely voluntary, grassroots, community-sourced activist approach has been able to successfully draw out and publicize narratives from archival resources as well as oral and personal histories to engage community activism, public interest, and to encourage and support underrepresented groups to engage with archaeology and heritage.