190 PRESENTING, PUBLICIZING ANDPUBLISHINGARCHAEOLOGICALWORK
there are many other methods for communicating results
and information that do not oblige researchers to com-
mit themselves to definitive statements before work
is finished. Use of the media, internet and electronic
publication to promote results can be an efficient and
cost-effective way to reach a large international audience.
Towards the end of a project, when fieldwork and post-
fieldwork processing have been completed, the final
project report should be compiled and disseminated (see
below).
Identifying and Satisfying an Audience
When publicizing an archaeological project, it is import-
ant to differentiate between the various target audiences
mentioned above and to tailor presentations and mater-
ials to suit each of them. The nature of maritime trade
and communities means that maritime archaeological
sites often evoke strong feelings of identity and associ-
ation. A shipbuilding town may have a close association
with a vessel wrecked thousands of miles away, for example,
or a fishing community may proudly identify with archae-
ological evidence of a long local fishing tradition. This
means that the local community may have more than a
passing interest in a local project and every effort should
be made to encourage this enthusiasm and interest.
Informal talks and seminars provide many opportun-
ities for publicizing an archaeological project. These are
regularly organized by local diving, history and archae-
ology clubs. Even apparently unrelated clubs and societies
(sports and social clubs, Women’s Institutes, University of
the Third Age, etc.) are often happy to host a visiting
speaker talking on the subject of maritime archaeology
(figure 20.1). It is well worth asking an audience at the
start of a talk what their particular interests are. This enables
the presenter to tailor the talk to the audience and fur-
ther engage interest and help.
Presenting project work to such groups can be reward-
ing in more ways than one. Members of the audience may
be able to contribute to the project with knowledge of his-
torical detail, other sites in the area or other significant
information. Another desirable by-product of such talks
is that they may equip the audience with the under-
standing and inclination to approach such sites in a
responsible, archaeological manner. Furthermore, indi-
viduals or groups may feel inspired to become involved
in archaeology as a result of hearing such a talk. They may
even offer help for future fieldwork or post-fieldwork
processing (see chapters 18 and 19).
Fellow archaeologists (those already converted) will
more readily be reached via a presentation and/or display
stand at an appropriate conference. Conferences come in
a wide range of forms, from major international events
to local seminars. Speaking at a conference provides
researchers with the opportunity to present their work
to a group of people with similar interests. The import-
ance of exposing work to peer review has already
been mentioned and conferences/seminars provide an
unparalleled opportunity to present material directly to
peers. Similarly, a conference/seminar provides a rapid
overview of who is doing what in the field and offers a
chance to meet the people concerned. Discussions face-
to-face can often achieve much more than written com-
munications. International conferences are particularly
valuable in this respect.
Some conferences publish proceedings (a collection of
papers presented at the conference). A paper presented at
a conference is not expected to be a definitive and final
statement about a project. Therefore, not having completed
research to final publication standard should not dis-
courage anyone from offering a paper for publication in
this form. Some of the most interesting papers are often
those that take a discursive approach rather than those
consisting of a bland catalogue of facts.
Communicating the results of research involves
addressing all levels of society, including the archaeolo-
gists of the future. To present information to a younger
audience in an effective manner may require additional
effort to ensure presentation materials are appropriate. The
whole style and content of a display or talk may have to
be modified and yet still convey the essential ideas of archae-
ology and the project results. It is obviously of benefit to
generate an awareness of the remains of the past in
schoolchildren. Discovering about the past can be bothFigure 20.1 A public talk is arranged during a NAS pro-
ject at Stourhead, Wiltshire, UK. It is vital to disseminate
information about a project and its findings. (Photo: Vicki
Amos)