Overview
Research on the contemporary context of our practice is critical to the
department’s vision. Exploring the implication of the past in
contemporary politics, work by Smith
has set new agendas for the interpretation and management of heritage
across the world. A research led approach to the curation of the
historic environment has also been at the heart of work by
Grenville. The department is also actively involved in the development of innovative approaches to fieldwork (
Carver &
Roskams), in the design of regional research frameworks and the creation of new links with the commercial sector (
Edmonds &
Roskams). Theoretical ecology provides a valuable paradigm for developing new models
in bioarchaeology (
Kenward,
O'Connor), and rethinking archaeological
taphonomy takes the practice of zooarchaeology in new directions
(
O'Connor).
York is also in the vanguard of institutions developing innovative
technologies for the recording of the archaeological process, the
preservation of data and the dissemination of knowledge (
Richards). Award winning work by
Edmonds (Derbyshire), by
Finch (Yorkshire Country House Partnership),
Roskams (York Archaeological Forum) and Smith
(Castleford) has actively involved members of different communities in
the archaeological process, from field and archival research to oral
history, analysis, publication and the creation of exhibitions. New
directions for research in these areas have also been opened up by the
recent creation of the Institute for the Public Understanding of the Past, which is affiliated to the department.
