Workshop: Toward a CAREful Archaeology - Integrating Indigenous Data Sovereignty into Excavation Practices and Archaeological Collections

Archaeological excavations, collections and the associated digital documentation constitute a particularly important area of application for the implementation of the CARE principles. The long history of archaeological research, colonial collection practices and the more recent history of cultural heritage management raise fundamental questions regarding indigenous knowledge, participation, authority and data sovereignty. Excavation practices and archaeological collections have formed – and continue to form – key points of intersection between local communities, the rights of indigenous communities, national cultural heritage policies and transnational research infrastructures. This online workshop examines how the CARE principles can be integrated into archaeological excavations, collection management and FAIR cultural heritage data. We invite contributions that critically examine the role of indigenous knowledge, indigenous rights and participation in archaeological excavations, museum collections and digital cultural heritage infrastructures from historical and contemporary perspectives.

Possible topics include: How are indigenous knowledge, perspectives and rights articulated in archaeological excavation projects and collections from diachronic and synchronic perspectives? How are indigenous knowledge, perspectives, rights and stakeholders incorporated into archaeological practice and collection cataloguing?

How are indigenous knowledge, perspectives and rights reflected in archaeological excavation projects and collections from diachronic and synchronic perspectives? How are indigenous knowledge, perspectives, rights and stakeholders integrated into archaeological practice and collection cataloguing worldwide? Where and how do conflicts manifest themselves, and how are they integrated conceptually and methodologically into excavation practice and (digital) collection cataloguing? How can digital methods in archaeological practice and archaeological collection management contribute to the visibility of Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous perspectives and rights? The workshop is aimed at archaeologists, museum and cultural heritage professionals, experts in the digital humanities and research data management, representatives of Indigenous organisations and communities, as well as specialists from national and international cultural heritage institutions. In addition to presentations and panel discussions, participants will jointly develop a questionnaire for representatives of Indigenous organisations. This is intended to serve as a basis for future work on implementing the CARE principles in archaeological research and in cultural heritage data infrastructures.

Language: English

Chairs: Romy Köhler, Tolin Jojo (DAI)

Further information will be made available shortly!