Interpreting the Ambiguous: Archaeology and interpretation in early 21st century Britain. Proceedings of a session from the 2001 Institute of Field Archaeologists annual conference, held at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Abstract

This volume is based on a session entitled 'Interpreting the Ambiguous' at the 2001 Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA) annual conference at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. It is hoped that the 13 papers will be of value to anyone planning archaeological interpretation work in the near future. They range over large expanses of both space and time. While they vary considerably in terms of subject matter, they are all united by one basic aim: the desire to encourage people to think for themselves about the past. The contributors are: (1) 'So much history in this landscape. So much confusion, so much doubt.' Paul Frodsham; (2) Sowing the seeds of doubt. The presentation of the past to the public. Emma Carver; (3) Virtually the Ice Age. Interpreting the Palaeolithic archaeology of Creswell Crags. Ian Wall; (4) Telling stories. Archaeology, interpretation and the National Trust at Avebury. Ruth Taylor; (5) The Maelmin Heritage Trail. Archaeological research and the public. Clive Waddington; (6) Drama on Gardom's Edge. The use of theatre groups in public interpretation of prehistory. Bill Bevan; (7) Changing interpretations.Public access and interpretation on a developer-funded excavation at Braehead, Glasgow. Ronan Toolis and Clare Ellis; (8) 'Valley of the First Iron Masters'. A case study in inclusion and interpretation. Peter Halkon; (9) Roundhouses in the Landscape. Interpreting the Iron Age at Castell Henllys. Phil Bennett; (10) High Street, Londinium. Reconstructing Roman London. Hedley Swain; (11) Access to the evidence. Interpretation of an excavation at a Scottish castle. Adrian Cox; (12). 'But didn't the horses drown?' Interpreting historic narrowboats in the Working Boats Project. Jo Bell; (13) Whither interpretation? Peter Stone.