08/01/2025
In recent years, archaeology and heritage interpretation have increasingly emphasized the role of community engagement in exploring and narrating the past. Within the 31st European Association of Archaeologists Annual Meeting (Belgrade, 3-6 September 2025), Szilvia Fábián (Hungarian National Museum, National Institute of Archaeology), Marko Mele (Universalmuseum Joanneum), and Giuseppe Pace (National Research Council - Institute for Research on Innovation and Services for Development) have organized the session "Voices of the past, hands of the present. Collaborative pathways in archaeology and heritage interpretation".
Drawing on insights from the Erasmus+ project “EMpowering landscapes with Participatory Approaches to Heritage interpretation Skills (EMPATHS),” this session invites participants to reflect on how archaeological practice can become more inclusive, embracing diverse community perspectives. By actively involving local voices in archaeological and interpretative processes, it is possible to co-create narratives that are more dynamic, representative, and impactful for broader audiences.
The session aims to explore innovative methodologies and frameworks for participatory archaeology, focusing on case studies where community involvement has enriched both archaeological practice and heritage interpretation. Key topics include the creation of shared narratives, collaborative decision-making, and approaches to bridge gaps between academic researchers and community knowledge holders.
Participants are also encouraged to discuss the complexities of balancing differing perspectives on heritage value, managing expectations, and addressing ethical considerations in collaborative work. Contributions are invited from archaeologists, heritage professionals, community leaders, and scholars interested in promoting inclusive practices and redefining heritage interpretation as a tool for dialogue, cultural identity, and community empowerment.
The call for contribution is open until February 6th, 2025, 23:59 CET.
More information:
- Contribution Format:Papers with 15-minute oral presentations.
- Submissions: Abstracts must be 150–300 words, and titles are limited to 20 words.
- Authorship: Each member may submit one paper and one poster as the main author, with no limits on co-authoring contributions.
Per informazioni:
Giuseppe Pace
CNR - Istituto di Ricerca su Innovazione e Servizi per lo Sviluppo
giuseppe.pace@cnr.it
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