Abstract
We are separated from the prehistoric past by a cultural distance. In the past, people had different cultural beliefs and ideas from us, and in this respect they lived in another world. Therefore, our home ground wherever it happens to be situated —contains a cultural diversity; to meet the past is to meet the foreign. This realization can hopefully lead away from one-sided searches for the roots of one's own group of people. lnstead it can form the basis for a greater interest in and understanding of cultural pluralism in the past as well as in the present.
Highlights
We are separated from the prehistoric past by a cultural distance
In our daily work as archaeologists most of us are so occupied with taking care of business that we seldom ask ourselves how archaeology can make the world a better place
I believe that it is of the utmost importance that we as archaeologists reflect upon this matter; what is our more profound contribution to society at large? What are the particular qualities that archaeology has to offer the general public? We may find different answers, but no doubt they will all have consequences for the archaeological praxis
Summary
If we consider archaeology's contribution to society at large from a historical perspective, there is perhaps not so much to be proud of. The most obvious way in which archaeology has been put to use is to serve nationalistic interests Kohl & Fawcett 1995; Atkinson, Banks & 0'Sullivan 1996; DiazAndreu & Champion 1996). Archaeological remains have frequently been used to justify " the ownership of land claimed to have been held "from time immemorial. The development of archaeology as a scientific discipline was itself related to nationalistic interests. The creation of a common past was an essential part in the legitimizing of the European nation-states that were formed during the nineteenth century National feelings were supported and romanticized by placing
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