Study Tour of Archeological Interpretation > 4. Putting It Together >

Questions and issues

[photo] Archeologists standing near a cliff dwelling.

Archeology is an integral part of the mission and purpose of Tonto National Monument. NPS photo.

Gather your responses from your study tour. This section will make use of your answers to the questions and help you to channel the thinking process into developing interpretations of archeology for your own museum or park.

For your information

Meet with the archeologists and interpreters who went on the study tour. Using your worksheets, reflect on how the experience compares with your site. Use the questions below to inspire discussion and next steps:

Site and Structure

What is the background history of the place?
What is its stated mission?
What are its facilities and personnel?
How do the institutional budget and other funding sources support interpretation and archeology?
Are statistics or information kept about visitors? Who are the visitors?

Content of Archeology and Interpretation

What kind of interplay occurs between interpreters and the public?
What interpretive themes are presented?
How does archeology fit or expand the mission?
Can you tell what the relationship is between data collection and interpretation?
Can you tell what the relationship is between the place and its region?
What kinds of archeological resources are used in interpretation?
How are archeological resources integrated with other kinds of resources for interpretation?
What are some of the issues grappled with (i.e. authenticity, technology, contested history, putting forth different viewpoints)?
Is stewardship explicitly addressed? What kinds of interpretive products address stewardship? How?
How does archeological interpretation reach or address different audiences?

For your consideration

What have you learned as a result of this guide?
What will you do next with what you have learned?

back
next