Emily J. Stammitti PhD MAIPS MSc

University of Edinburgh

UNDERWATER  ARCHAEOLOGY:    IMPACT  BEYOND  THE  INTERTIDAL  ZONE  

 TAG  CONFERENCE  2015  

Jack,  the  would-­‐be  geologist  

Realiza6on  of  twofold  set  of  challenges:      1.  Problems  in  

disadvantaged  communi6es  

2.  Shortcomings  of  underwater  archaeology  

 

 1.  Rela6ve  Depriva6on  

2.  Lack  of  access  to  higher  educa6on  within  disadvantaged  communi6es  

3.  Lack  of  campaigns  targeted  at  these  communi6es,  as  well  as  lack  of  skills  and  educa6on  requirements  during  childhood  

 

Problems  in  Communi6es  

Rela6ve  Depriva6on  …is  defined  as  actors'  percep0on  of  discrepancy  between  their  value  expecta0ons  and  their  value  

capabili0es.    

Rela6ve  Depriva6on  

Value  Expecta6ons    

Value  Capabili6es  

Rela6ve  Depriva6on  

0  

5  

10  

15  

20  

25  

30  

35  

40  

45  

Percen

tage  of  P

opulaG

on  

ScoIsh  Index  of  MulGple  DeprivaGon  

Access  to  Educa6on            

 “Socio-­‐economic  factors  con6nue  to  outweigh  other  factors”  in  aRainment  of  admission  to  university,  despite  high  aspira6ons1.    

80%  of  university  students  are  from  

middle  class  backgrounds2.  

   

Universi0es  Scotland  study  found  that  students  from  the  lowest  20%  had  higher  aspira0ons  of  aBending  university  than  students  from  the  highest  20%3.    

1.  2009  ScoVsh  Literacy  Commission;  2.  Universi6es  Scotland  2012;  3.  Universi6es  Scotland  2013  

Community  skillsets:    “Where  can  I  possibly  learn  to  do  that?”    

Literacy    Team  work    Confidence    Swimming    Scuba  diving    Surveying    GPS  

Communi6es  lacking  in  basic  as  well  as  advanced  skills…    

Demographics  of  core  professorial  staff  and  divers    Emphasis  on  tradi6onal  teaching  methods      Lack  of  engagement  opportuni6es  within  general  public    Lack  of  public  discourse  and  visibility    Assump6on  that  you  need  lots  of  money  to  dive,  study,  engage…  and  it’s  largely  true!      

Shortcomings  of  underwater  archaeology    

Demographics  

Professorships  

Men  

Women  

Divers  

Men  

Women  

PopulaGon    Divers  

Non-­‐divers  

Professional  archaeologists  make  up  .0076%  of  the  Bri6sh  working  popula6on1,    

 (-­‐and  this  is  a  30%  decrease  from  figures  reported  in  2007-­‐08)  

1IfA,  2012-­‐13    

Tradi6onal  lectures?  

Limited  access  to  marine  

sciences,  diving,  swimming?  

Women  make  up  10%  of  

professoriate?  Masters  required  

to  enter  job  market  and  no  

OJT?  

ConGnued  problem  of    “Community”  as  “rhetoric”1  

       

1Waterton  and  Smith,  2014,  p.  8  

•  Commercial  sector  involvement  

•  Onshore/offshore  renewables  

•  Google  searches  

•  “Community”  heritage  conferences  

•  “Community”  digs  

Disadvantaged  community  

Rela6ve  depriva6on  

Lack  of  access  to  higher  educa6on  

Limited  skills  from  

upbringing  

University  systems  composed  largely  of  

middle  classes  

Limited  demographics  (diversity)  

Limited  access  and  

engagement  at  community  

level  

Limited  value  capabili6es  

Working  in  a  community  =  community    Working  with  a  community  =  liaison  person      Working  for  community  =  rhetoric    

•  Educa6on  and  outreach  targeted  at  communi6es  with  high  rankings  on  the  ScoVsh  Index  of  Mul6ple  Depriva6on  

•  Public  discourse  and  visibility  

•  Public  engagement  opportuni6es  

•  Training  opportuni6es  outside  of  the  university  seVng    

•  Integrate  underwater  archaeology  into  the  CfE  (Curriculum  for  Excellence)    

Underwater  Explorers:  ARemp6ng  posi6ve  impact  beyond  the  inter6dal  zone  

REACHING  OUT    Dynamic  Earth  Open  Days  (free  entry)    One  Parent  Family  Scotland  Community  schools  and  pools  in  top  15%  (most  deprived)  ScoVsh  Index  of  Mul6ple  Depriva6on  areas    Edinburgh  City  Council  CLD  Centres    Community  centres  in  top  15%  of  ScoJsh  Index  of  Mul0ple  Depriva0on  areas  

Open  to  everybody,  regardless  of  age,  income  or  addi6onal  support  needs  

•  No  memberships  •  No  prerequisites  •  No  course  fees  

 

Sessions  for  adult  learners      Introduc6on  to  underwater  archaeology    Discussing  the  past  and  the  future  (renewable  energy  &  heritage)    Sessions  for  young  learners    Pool-­‐based  underwater  archaeology      Introduc6on  to  underwater  archaeology    Stump  the  scien6st    Sessions  for  Individuals  with  addiGonal  support  needs    

Community  cohesion  

Reduced  feelings  of  depriva6on  

Improved  skills  

Community  responsibility  

Local  and  regional  iden6ty  and  engagement  

Las6ng  impact:    •  Literacy    •  Numeracy  •  Trade  &  Exchange  •  European  &  local  

history  •  Geography  •  Marine  science  &  

biology  •  Public  speaking  •  Interpre6ve  and  

analy6c  skills  •  Team  work  •  Chemistry  •  Osteology  •  Mythology  •  Astronomy  •  Seafaring  •  Art  •  Geology    

35%  reduc6on  in  feelings  of  depriva6on  or  isola6on  from  mainstream  society  

 -­‐One  Parent  Family  Scotland    26%  reduc6on  in  feelings  of  depriva6on  or  isola6on  

 -­‐Community  Learning  &    Development  Centres    (City  of    Edinburgh  Council)  

UNDERWATER  ARCHAEOLOGY  OUTREACH  CAN  MAKE  A  DRAMATIC  DIFFERENCE  TO  DISADVANTAGED  COMMUNITIES  WHEN  IT  IS  IN  THOSE  COMMUNITIES…    THIS  IS  GAUGING  REAL  IMPACT  BEYOND  THE  INTERTIDAL  ZONE.  

All  photos  used  with  express  permission  of  adults,  parents  and  guardians,  in  accordance  with  Edinburgh  City  Council  Guidelines