Public archaeology is citizen science in Arkansas

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe Arkansas Archeological Survey (ARAS) is a unit of the University of Arkansas tasked with working with the public to research and preserve the state’s archaeological heritage. As the first formal public archaeology programme in the USA, the ARAS has been practicing citizen science and encouraging collaboration, communication, and education since the 1960s. This essay provides a brief history of the ARAS, while highlighting a pilot education programme that demonstrates the ways citizen science can engage people in all aspects of the research process from excavation to report writing.