Public Archaeology

Description

This community cluster serves as a professional committee that brings together and connects active participants and administrators from the field of citizen science as well as scientists in a structured manner. The aim is to facilitate a continuous exchange on N4O topics in suitable discussion formats and to discuss common challenges and perspectives.

A central topic is the handling of small archaeological finds, especially those discovered by metal detectorists, volunteers and chance finders. Questions of documentation, reporting, scientific evaluation and long-term management of these finds pose considerable organisational, legal and communicative challenges for both monument authorities and citizen scientists. Existing practices vary from region to region and are often insufficiently coordinated.

In addition, the CC addresses other topics such as quality assurance, knowledge transfer, the motivation and qualification of citizen scientists, and the interfaces between research, monument preservation, restoration and the public. Related disciplines and new forms of citizen scientist participation (e.g. supportive data collection via apps) are also to be explicitly included.

In order to agree on long-term, sustainable, standards-based solutions and collaborations, close cooperation with the N4O Community Cluster Protected Heritage Sites is planned.

In this way, the cluster contributes to the better integration of public archaeology into archaeological practice and research, increases the visibility and scientific usability of citizen science data, and strengthens the involvement of stakeholders working in this field.