Educational Programs, Archaeology and the Public

This paper investigates the use of 3D immersive virtual environments and 3D prints for interaction with past material culture over traditional observation without manipulation. Our work is motivated by studies in heritage, museum, and cognitive sciences indicating the importance of object manipulation for understanding present and ancient artifacts. While virtual immersive environments and 3D prints have started to be incorporated in heritage research and museum displays as a way to provide improved manipulation experiences, little is known about how these new technologies affect the perception of our past. This paper provides first results obtained with three experiments designed to investigate the benefits and tradeoffs in using these technologies. Our results indicate that traditional museum displays limit the experience with past material culture, and reveal how our sample of participants favor tactile and immersive 3D virtual experiences with artifacts over visual non-manipulative experiences with authentic objects.

The Acts of the second congress organized by the Society of Greek Archaeologists "Eos", at the Cultural Centre of Athens Municipality, on 19-20 March 2015. The fifteen papers offer insight and commentary on various facets of the archaeological profession and scientific branch, in Greece, during the actual period of crisis. Papers concern topics as: the relation to Archaeology to Environmental Education; secondary high school Education; the Archaeology of Magna Graecia; the teaching of History, National Consciousness and the Crisis; the functioning of the Archaeological Service; the "Labyrinth" of the archaeological profession; archaeological Research and the prerequisites for the Archaeologist as Public Officer; the Registry of Archaeologists; study and publication of finds from old excavations by young(er) Archaeologists; the destructive aspect of the Excavation Procedure; the principles of "Integrated Conservation" and "Sustainability" of Cultural Wealth; Cultural Heritage Management; Cultural Guiding and Archaeology. The aim of this volume is to stimulate discussion concerning various aspects of the archaeological profession

Regarding the economic crisis in Spain, Archaeology and, in general, cultural heritage has been one of the most affected economic sectors in the country. For this reason, it is necessary to think carefully about the actual state of this field in Spain. This paper stress the need to promote a bigger presence of culture in society life with the aim of increasing a more active citizens and more solid society. As part of this approach, the link between Archaeology and Education is essential, based on different arguments related with the own characteristics of the discipline and the advantages of the introduction of archaeological approaches in the classroom practices. Either in Early Years, Primary or Secondary Education, the archaeological methodology has demonstrated its value on
History teaching. Besides the contribution of Archaeology to improve a conceptual or procedural knowledge, we must underline its importance for the attitudinal outcomes, in terms of civic values and related with the promotion and protection of cultural heritage driven by the introduction of cultural practices and proposals in schools.

Ante una situación de crisis económica en España, la arqueología y, en general, el patrimonio cultural ha sido uno de los sectores económicos más perjudicados, por lo que se hace necesaria una reflexión sobre el estado actual de esta disciplina en el país. En este artículo se plantea la importancia de buscar una sociedad en la que lo cultural tenga más presencia de cara a conseguir una ciudadanía más activa y formada. En esta línea, la arqueología y la educación se nos presentan como compañeras imprescindibles, en base a una serie de argumentos relacionados con las propias características de la disciplina, así como las ventajas de aplicar ciertas rutinas arqueológicas a las aulas. Ya sea en niveles de Educación I nfantil, Primaria o Secundaria, la llegada del método arqueológico a la educación es, en nuestra opinión, una manera más que interesante de afrontar una clase de Historia. Además, junto a lo conceptual o procedimental que conlleva la inclusión de la arqueología en la enseñanza, una de las razones fundamentales para esta apuesta son los beneficios que conlleva si de actitudes se trata. Nos referimos a los valores cívicos relacionados con la protección y fomento del patrimonio cultural que se podrían conseguir con este tipo de actividades o propuestas en las aulas.

Landscape studies have evolved into a significant branch of historical archaeological research, by placing emphasis on the ecological, economic, political and cultural values of pre-modern settled and sacred landscapes. The aim of our work is to support the systematic exploration of landscape archaeology in the Xeros River valley in Cyprus, through time, from prehistory to today, through the design and development of an Augmented Reality (AR) application. The AR application supports the exploration of pre-modern monuments and archaeological sites in the Xeros River valley, serving as a guided tour for visitors of the area. By employing image recognition and utilizing a location-based practice, the application provides the users with an immersive and educational experience. Initial reactions by experts in landscape studies indicate the potential of the application in enabling the narration and visualization of the historicity of the landscape and the fate of religious and other monuments of the past 1500 years.

ÖZET Anahtar Sözcükler-Keywords: Bursa, Aktopraklık, kültürel miras, kültür sektörü, tarihöncesi dönem Bursa, Aktopraklık, cultural heritage, the cultural sector, prehistory Aktopraklık Kültürel Miras Yönetim Planı, İstanbul Üniversitesi Prehistorya Anabilim Dalı tarafından yürü-tülen Güney Marmara Arkeoloji Projesi kapsamında sürdürülmektedir. Yönetim planının esasını tarihöncesi döneme tarihlenen Aktopraklık Höyük kazılarından elde edilen veriler oluşturur. Katılımcı yönü ile öne çıkan proje, arkeolojik alanların konservasyonu ve teşhirinin yanı sıra tarihöncesi ve geleneksel köy canlandır-maları ile deneysel uygulama alanlarının bulunduğu etkileşime açık bir yapıya sahiptir. ABSTRACT The Aktopraklık Cultural Heritage Management Plan, carried out by Istanbul University Department of Prehistory, is pursued under the Southern Marmara Archaeological Project. The foundation of the management plan is basically the data that is obtained from the excavations conducted at the prehistoric tell site of Aktopraklık. The project, which comes into prominence with all encompassing character, is open to interactivity through traditional ethnographic exhibits and experimental research areas together with the conservation and the presentation of archaeological sites. 7 TÜBA-KED 8/2010

Can the public see the benefit of archaeology without an awareness of what archaeology does? The authors consider this question while exploring the evolution of Bulgarian society's view on development-led archaeological excavations over the past 30 years, by drawing on specific examples. Media coverage of rescue archaeological work in Bulgaria is usually done in a dull, non-systematic manner. Local archaeologists are neither trained for nor seem to fully grasp the necessity of active two-way communication with the public, particularly in the course of fieldwork. Moreover, project investors often impose restrictions on publicity, not realising that their business is losing out from such a secretive media policy. Nevertheless, some successful media projects have been carried out by a number of Bulgarian archaeologists in recent years and have significantly contributed towards society's increased knowledge and appreciation of archaeological work. The authors propose particular steps in order to accelerate and enhance this positive trend to keep the public informed and aware of the potential benefits of archaeology.