Embrace the Margins: Adventures in Archaeology and Homelessness

TLDR

The essay examines the experience, outcomes, and ethical dilemmas of engaging homeless people in archaeological practice. The study, conducted in 2009–10 in Bristol, involved two archaeologists collaborating directly with homeless individuals to co‑create knowledge about contemporary homelessness through archaeological methods. The project proved a memorable, socially engaged archaeological experiment that taught participants about themselves, each other, and contemporary homelessness. Keywords: heritage, homelessness, community, Bristol (UK), material culture, landscape.

Abstract

AbstractIn 2009–10 two archaeologists conducted an archaeological study of contemporary homelessness in Bristol (UK). The result was a memorable experience for all involved, and an experiment in developing a socially engaged and socially active form of archaeology. For this was not just two archaeologists 'studying' homelessness, but archaeologists working alongside and with homeless people to develop a better understanding of contemporary homelessness and to begin to explore the potential benefi ts of archaeological endeavour. We all learnt from this, about ourselves, about each other, and about our subject — it was, for all of us, an archaeological adventure. In this essay we discuss the experience, the results of the project, and some of the ethical dilemmas of working with vulnerable people.Keywords: HERITAGEHOMELESSNESSCOMMUNITYBRISTOL (UK)MATERIAL CULTURELANDSCAPE