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The Significant Past and Insignificant Archaeologists. Who informs the Public about their ‘national’ Past? The case of Romania
fundamental component of contemporary Romanian identity: the Dacian heritage.
I start by exploring how the Dacians and Romanians came to be connected,
a process that resulted from a combination of nationalistic zeal on behalf of
archaeologists and the nationalist propaganda of the Ceau¸sescu regime during
the 1970s and 1980s. I then move to the present-day situation, where I argue
that archaeologists have reduced themselves to having a minor role in the public
sphere, while discussions about the Dacians are dominated by two main players:
pseudoarchaeologists and re-enactors. This state of affairs delegitimizes Romanian
archaeology and places self-declared specialists and enthusiasts in the position of
experts. Some of the Dacian narratives produced in this environment are infused
with strong nationalist messages and have the potential...Show more This paper addresses the role of archaeologists in informing the public about a
fundamental component of contemporary Romanian identity: the Dacian heritage.
I start by exploring how the Dacians and Romanians came to be connected,
a process that resulted from a combination of nationalistic zeal on behalf of
archaeologists and the nationalist propaganda of the Ceau¸sescu regime during
the 1970s and 1980s. I then move to the present-day situation, where I argue
that archaeologists have reduced themselves to having a minor role in the public
sphere, while discussions about the Dacians are dominated by two main players:
pseudoarchaeologists and re-enactors. This state of affairs delegitimizes Romanian
archaeology and places self-declared specialists and enthusiasts in the position of
experts. Some of the Dacian narratives produced in this environment are infused
with strong nationalist messages and have the potential to fuel extreme right-wing
and even xenophobic movements. Consequently, in the final part of the paper,
I recommend that Romanian archaeologists should challenge the representations
and interpretations of pseudoarchaeologists and re-enactors. Moreover, academics
should make it a priority to re-engage with the public and disseminate their work to a
broad audience in a convincing manner.Show less
- All authors
- Popa, C.N.
- Date
- 2016
- Journal
- Archaeological Dialogues
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 23 - 89