Contested Heritage: Relations between contemporary Pagan groups and the archaeological and heritage professions in Britain in the early 21st century

Description

This book examines the sometimes fraught interactions and relationships between contemporary Pagan groups and archaeological heritage managers in the first decade and a half of the 21st century. It uses ethnographic field research, conducted by the author between 2008 and 2013, and literature analysis to analyse those interactions. The two key areas examined are access to, interpretation of and preservation of ancient sites, and the archaeological examination, storage and display or reburial of ancient human remains. The book includes a detailed analysis of the reasons presented in the discourse of contestation and the underlying attitudes behind the issues. It concludes with some thoughts on how heritage managers and archaeologists may better manage their interactions with the Pagan community in the future. Cover Title Page Copyright Of Related Interest Contents List of figures List of Abbreviations Abstract 1. Introduction 1.1. Foreword 1.2. Defining Terms Subcultures and Counter-Cultures 1.2.1. Contemporary Pagans Unifying Characteristics in Contemporary Paganism:- Branches or Traditions of Contemporary Paganism Misconceptions Regarding Pagans Oppression and Discrimination Pagan Ethics Origins of Contemporary Paganism Pagan Community Leaders 1.2.2. Defining Heritage Professionals Defining the Heritage Sector Origins of Heritage Attractions Heritage Aims and Ethics Who Shapes Policy in the Heritage Sector? 1.2.3. Defining Archaeologists Types of Archaeologist Archaeological Ethics and Codes of Practice Contesting Archaeology 1.2.4. Pagan Archaeologists and Heritage Professionals 1.3. Situating the Researcher 1.4. The Structure of the Book 2. Research Design and Implementation 2.1. Introduction 2.2. Planning 2.3. Choosing a Methodology 2.3.1. Aims and Objectives 2.3.2. Situation 2.3.3. Methodological Courses 2.3.4. Factors Affecting Choice of Methodology 2.3.5. The Methodological Plan 2.4. Ethical Standards and Considerations 2.4.1. Ethical Sources 2.4.2. Ethical Concerns with the Research 2.4.3. Ethical Research Implementation 2.5. Reflexivity 2.6. Research Method Selection 2.6.1. Research Method Courses 2.6.2. Research Method Factors 2.6.3. Research plan 2.6.4. Execution – Data Collection 2.6.5. Execution – Data Analysis and Interpretation 2.6.6. Execution – Dissemination of Results 2.7. Lessons from the Field 2.7.1. Hostility and Hospitality at Stonehenge 2.7.2. Complaint at Nevern 2.7.3. Museum Refusal 2.8. Trust 2.8.1. Challenging Ideas 2.9. Insiders, Outsiders and ‘Going Native’ 2.10. Conclusions 3. Sites – Access 3.1. Introduction 3.1.1. Defining Access 3.1.2. Which Sites Have Been Contested for Access? 3.1.3. What Were Contested Sites in the Past? 3.1.4. How Did They Become Significant to Contemporary Pagans? 3.2. Differing Aims and Requirements 3.2.1. Pagan Expectations 3.2.2. Archaeologists’ Agendas 3.2.3. Policies and Agendas of Heritage Organisations 3.3. Case Study 1: Stonehenge and the Free Festival 3.3.1. Stonehenge on the Ground 3.3.2. Stonehenge Explanations 3.3.3. The Protection and Management of Stonehenge 3.3.4. Stonehenge as a Sacred Site 3.3.5. Stonehenge as a Contested Site Early Contestation (Before 1970) The Stonehenge Free Festival How Pagan was the Festival? Problems with the Festival Suppression of the Festival and Exclusion at the Solstice Reaction and Justification The Stonehenge Exclusion Zone and its Challengers Modes of contestation A Solution: Managed Open Access Other Issues at Stonehenge Consequences of Stonehenge 3.4. Case Study 2: Avebury 3.4.1. The Significance of Avebury 3.4.2. Protecting and Managing Avebury 3.4.3. Pagan Use of the Site 3.4.4. Contesting the Site Locals Versus Visitors Pagans Versus Pagans The Role of Heritage Managers in Contesting Avebury 3.4.5. Avebury Solutions 3.5. Theorising Contestation of Access 3.5.1. Why Demand Access Spiritual Reasons Political Reasons 3.5.2. Why Oppose Access? 3.5.3. Why Are Other Sites Not Contested In This Way? 3.5.4. Assessing the Claims 3.5.5. Options for the Future 3.6. Conclusions 4. Sites – Preservation and Protection 4.1. Introduction 4.1.1. Defining Protection and Preservation 4.1.2. State Protection and Preservation of Ancient Sites in the UK 4.2. Protection from Development 4.2.1. Case Study 1: Nine Ladies Stone Circle Threats to Nine Ladies Protection Campaign Outcome 4.2.2 Case Study 2: Thornborough Henges Threats to Thornborough Campaign to Protect Thornborough The Outcome of the Protests 4.2.3 Case Study 3: Crossbones Graveyard Campaign to Preserve Crossbones Understanding Contestation at Crossbones 4.2.4 Understanding Pagan Protection of Sites from Development 4.3 Protecting Sites from Archaeological Excavation 4.3.1 Case Study 4: Seahenge or Holme-next-the-Sea Timber Circle Initial Analysis Preservation In-Situ or Excavation and Removal? Community Involvement Protest Detailed Analysis, Storage and Preservation Display at King’s Lynn The Legacy of Seahenge 4.3.2. Case Study 5: Nevern Castle Excavation Brithdir Mawr and Tir Ysprydol Protest at Nevern Engaging with the Protests Theorising Nevern 4.4. Theorising Preservation and Protection 4.5 Options for the Future 5. Sites – Representation and Ownership 5.1. Introduction 5.1.1. Ownership, Stakeholdership and Representation 5.1.2. Defining Earth Mysteries 5.1.3. Earth Mysteries in Contemporary Paganism 5.1.4. Community 5.1.5. Public Archaeology and Heritage Paying for heritage 5.1.6. Public Driven Archaeology and Heritage 5.1.7. Outreach in Archaeology and Heritage 5.2. Case Studies 5.2.1. Case Study 1: Glastonbury Landscape and Character Cultural History Archaeology Glastonbury Earth Mysteries Christian Glastonbury Pagan Glastonbury Contested Glastonbury Archaeologists and Earth Mysteries 5.2.2. Case Study 2: The Rollright Stones Archaeology of the Rollright Stones Folklore of the Rollright Stones Ownership Pagan Activity at the Rollright Stones Vandalism at the Rollright Stones 5.2.3 Case Study 3: Interpreting Stonehenge 5.3. Contesting Interpretations and Ownership 5.4. Theorising Contestation of Ownership and Interpretation 5.4.1. Why demand Ownership/Stakeholdership Spiritual Reasons Political Reasons 5.4.2. Theorising Community Involvement and Stakeholdership 5.4.3. Suggested Solutions 5.5. Conclusions 6. Archaeologists, Museum professionals and Human Remains 6.1. Introduction 6.2. The Importance of Human Remains in Archaeology and Heritage 6.2.1. What Human Remains Reveal About the Past 6.2.2. Displaying Human Remains 6.2.3. Why Are Remains Not on Display Retained in Storage? 6.3. How Are Remains Treated? 6.3.1. Law, Ethical Guidelines and Organisation Policies Legal Requirements Ethical Guidelines and Professional Codes of Conduct Organisational Policies on Human Remains Implications of Laws, Codes and Policies 6.3.2. How Human Remains Are Treated in Practice Excavating Human Remains Analysis of Human Remains Storage Display De-accessioning, Disposal and Reburial 6.4. Conclusion 7. Contemporary Pagans and Ancestors 7.1. Introduction 7.2. British Pagans and the Concept of Ancestors 7.2.1. Who Are the Ancestors? 7.2.2. Origins of Ancestor Veneration in Contemporary Paganism 7.2.3. Why Are They the Ancestors? 7.2.4. Implications of Pagan Ancestor ‘Worship’ 7.3. Contestation Overseas 7.3.1. Australian Aboriginal Contestation Truganini and William Lanne Legal Changes 7.3.2. American Indians and NAGPRA Kennewick Man 7.3.3. Critiques of Repatriation and Reburial Claims for Remains from Abroad Identity Based Reasons Spiritual Reasons Political Reasons 7.4. Contesting Human Remains in the UK 7.4.1. Origins of Contestation in the UK 7.5. Case Studies 7.5.1. Case Study 1: Charlie at Avebury 7.5.2. Case Study 2: Stonehenge Human Remains 7.5.3. Case Study 3: The Red Lady of Paviland 7.5.4 Case Study 4: Lindow Man 7.6. Modes of Contestation by Pagans 7.6.1. CoBDO West 7.6.2. HAD 7.6.3. LAW, Stonehenge Druids and CoBDO 7.6.4. Dead to Rights 7.6.5. Pagans for Archaeology 7.7. Reasons and Arguments For and Against Reburial 7.7.1. Spiritual Arguments Affecting a Dualist Afterlife Disturbing the Monist Soul Sacred Sites and the Dead Pagan Values and Aspirations Spiritual Authority 7.7.2. Identity Based Reasons 7.7.3. Ethical Equality with Other Religions Respect and Honour, Dignity and Decency Ownership Exclusive and Inclusive Rights 7.8. Non-Reburial Challenges 7.8.1. Objectification Versus Personhood 7.8.2. Case Studies Case Study 1: Dublin Museum Case Study 2: Bristol Museum 7.8.3. Access to remains for ritual 7.8.4. Respectful Storage 7.9. Conclusions 8. Understanding and Addressing Contestion 8.1. Introduction 8.2. Explaining Contestation 8.2.1. Pagan Assumptions, Attitudes and Agendas Underlying Motivations for Pagan Contestation of Remains Archaeological Complicity in Suppression Asserting Equal Rights Anti-Intellectualism and Conflicting Worldviews Control of Identity A Pagan Absolutism? 8.2.2. Archaeological and Heritage Assumptions, Attitudes and Agendas Underlying Attitudes of Archaeologists and Heritage Professionals Low Value Attribution to Contemporary Paganism Archaeological and Heritage Agendas 8.2.3. Common Ground Preservation and Stewardship Increasing Understanding and Valuing the Past 8.2.4. Consequences of Assumptions, Attitudes and Agendas Complicating Factors Different Epistemologies Divergent Aims, Divergent Priorities 8.3. Addressing Contestation 8.3.1. Ignoring Campaigners 8.3.2. Challenging Assumptions and Respecting Identity 8.3.3. Addressing Contestation of Sites Stakeholdership Polyvocality in Archaeological interpretations 8.3.4. Addressing Contestation of Human Remains What Archaeologists and Museum Professionals Can Do What Pagans Can Do 8.3.5. Finding a Balance 8.3.6. Negotiation, Truth and Reconciliation 8.3.7. Opposition to Contestation Within the Pagan Community Divergent Druidries Addressing Religious Extremism 8.3.8. Continuous Negotiation 8.4. Conclusions 8.5. Final Words Bibliography Personal Communications Back Cover