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Exploring attitudes towards the archaeological past: Two case studies from majority Muslim communities in the Nile valley

Näser, C; (2019) Exploring attitudes towards the archaeological past: Two case studies from majority Muslim communities in the Nile valley. Journal of Social Archaeology , 19 (3) pp. 379-402. 10.1177/1469605319867194. Green open access

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Abstract

There is a dearth of studies on intercultural dynamics in Southwest Asian and North African archaeology, not least since conventional narratives assert that present-day majority Muslim communities in these regions are not interested in the pre-Islamic past. In this paper I argue that, despite seemingly overcoming such positions, collaborative projects may actually exacerbate them through perceiving local communities as deficient, in need of being taught and re-united with “their” heritage. Using data from two current projects in Sudan, I explore actual motivations of local publics to engage with the archaeologically approachable past and the interests they voice vis-à-vis archaeological heritage. I suggest that emphasizing these dimensions effects a shift in how nonarchaeological partners in collaborative projects are conceptualized. This opens new ground for engagement, as changing perceptions impact on interactions and, in consequence, power relations between protagonists.

Type: Article
Title: Exploring attitudes towards the archaeological past: Two case studies from majority Muslim communities in the Nile valley
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1177/1469605319867194
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1469605319867194
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Community engagement, collaborative archaeology, visitor survey, majority Muslim societies, pre-Islamic past, Sudan, Egypt, Nile valley
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Institute of Archaeology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Institute of Archaeology > Institute of Archaeology Gordon Square
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10079819
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