Contested Heritage: Relations between contemporary Pagan groups and the archaeological and heritage professions in Britain in the early 21st century

This book examines the sometimes fraught interactions and relationships between contemporary Pagan groups and archaeological heritage managers in the first decade and a half of the 21st century. It uses ethnographic field research, conducted by the author between 2008 and 2013, and literature analysis to analyse those interactions. The two key areas examined are access to, interpretation of and preservation of ancient sites, and the archaeological examination, storage and display or reburial of ancient human remains. The book includes a detailed analysis of the reasons presented in the discourse of contestation and the underlying attitudes behind the issues. It concludes with some thoughts on how heritage managers and archaeologists may better manage their interactions with the Pagan community in the future.

Table of Contents:
List of Figures List of Abbreviations Abstract 1. Introduction 1.1. Foreword 1.2. Defining Terms Subcultures and Counter-Cultures 1.2.1. Contemporary Pagans Unifying Characteristics in Contemporary Paganism Branches or Traditions of Contemporary Paganism Misconceptions Regarding Pagans Oppression and Discrimination Pagan Ethics Origins of Contemporary Paganism Pagan Community Leaders 1.2.2. Defining Heritage Professionals Defining the Heritage Sector Origins of Heritage Attractions Heritage Aims and Ethics Who Shapes Policy in the Heritage Sector? 1.2.3. Defining Archaeologists Types of Archaeologist Archaeological Ethics and Codes of Practice Contesting Archaeology 1.2.4. Pagan Archaeologists and Heritage Professionals 1.3. Situating the Researcher 1.4. The Structure of the Book 2. Research Design and Implementation 2.1. Introduction 2.2. Planning 2.3. Choosing a Methodology 2.3.1. Aims and Objectives 2.3.2. Situation 2.3.3. Methodological Courses 2.3.4. Factors Affecting Choice of Methodology 2.3.5. The Methodological Plan 2.4. Ethical Standards and Considerations 2.4.1. Ethical Sources 2.4.2. Ethical Concerns with the Research 2.4.3. Ethical Research Implementation 2.5. Reflexivity 2.6. Research Method Selection 2.6.1. Research Method Courses 2.6.2. Research Method Factors 2.6.3. Research plan 2.6.4. Execution - Data Collection 2.6.5. Execution - Data Analysis and Interpretation 2.6.6. Execution - Dissemination of Results 2.7. Lessons from the Field 2.7.1. Hostility and Hospitality at Stonehenge 2.7.2. Complaint at Nevern 2.7.3. Museum Refusal 2.8. Trust 2.8.1. Challenging Ideas 2.9. Insiders, Outsiders and 'Going Native' 2.10. Conclusions 3. Sites - Access 3.1. Introduction 3.1.1. Defining Access 3.1.2. Which Sites Have Been Contested for Access? 3.1.3. What Were Contested Sites in the Past? 3.1.4. How Did They Become Significant to Contemporary Pagans? 3.2. Differing Aims and Requirements 3.2.1. Pagan Expectations 3.2.2. Archaeologists' Agendas 3.2.3. Policies and Agendas of Heritage Organisations 3.3. Case Study 1: Stonehenge and the Free Festival 3.3.1. Stonehenge on the Ground 3.3.2. Stonehenge Explanations 3.3.3. The Protection and Management of Stonehenge 3.3.4. Stonehenge as a Sacred Site 3.3.5. Stonehenge as a Contested Site Early Contestation (Before 1970) The Stonehenge Free Festival How Pagan was the Festival? Problems with the Festival Suppression of the Festival and Exclusion at the Solstice Reaction and Justification The Stonehenge Exclusion Zone and its Challengers Modes of contestation A Solution: Managed Open Access Other Issues at Stonehenge Consequences of Stonehenge 3.4. Case Study 2: Avebury 3.4.1. The Significance of Avebury 3.4.2. Protecting and Managing Avebury 3.4.3. Pagan Use of the Site 3.4.4. Contesting the Site Locals Versus Visitors Pagans Versus Pagans The Role of Heritage Managers in Contesting Avebury 3.4.5. Avebury Solutions 3.5. Theorising Contestation of Access 3.5.1. Why Demand Access Spiritual Reasons Political Reasons 3.5.2. Why Oppose Access? 3.5.3. Why Are Other Sites Not Contested In This Way? 3.5.4. Assessing the Claims 3.5.5. Options for the Future 3.6. Conclusions 4. Sites - Preservation and Protection 4.1. Introduction 4.1.1. Defining Protection and Preservation 4.1.2. State Protection and Preservation of Ancient Sites in the UK 4.2. Protection from Development 4.2.1. Case Study 1: Nine Ladies Stone Circle Threats to Nine Ladies Protection Campaign Outcome 4.2.2. Case Study 2: Thornborough Henges Threats to Thornborough Campaign to Protect Thornborough The Outcome of the Protests 4.2.3. Case Study 3: Crossbones Graveyard Campaign to Preserve Crossbones Understanding Contestation at Crossbones 4.2.4. Understanding Pagan Protection of Sites from Development 4.3. Protecting Sites from Archaeological Excavation 4.3.1. Case Study 4: Seahenge or Holme-next-the-Sea Timber Circle Initial Analysis Preservation In-Situ or Excavation and Removal? Community Involvement Protest Detailed Analysis, Storage and Preservation Display at King's Lynn The Legacy of Seahenge 4.3.2. Case Study 5: Nevern Castle Excavation Brithdir Mawr and Tir Ysprydol Protest at Nevern Engaging with the Protests Theorising Nevern 4.4. Theorising Preservation and Protection 4.5. Options for the Future 5. Sites - Representation and Ownership 5.1. Introduction 5.1.1. Ownership, Stakeholdership and Representation 5.1.2. Defining Earth Mysteries 5.1.3. Earth Mysteries in Contemporary Paganism 5.1.4. Community 5.1.5. Public Archaeology and Heritage Paying for heritage 5.1.6. Public Driven Archaeology and Heritage 5.1.7. Outreach in Archaeology and Heritage 5.2. Case Studies 5.2.1. Case Study 1: Glastonbury Landscape and Character Cultural History Archaeology Glastonbury Earth Mysteries Christian Glastonbury Pagan Glastonbury Contested Glastonbury Archa

About the Author :
Will Rathouse is a community engagement archaeologist for MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) working on the Thames Discovery programme. His responsibilities include outreach to older Londoners and bringing in new groups to benefit from the project, including people with mental health problems and forces veterans. Previously, he was a support officer for Mind Aberystwyth and led archaeology projects to promote mental health. He has also volunteered with Operation Nightingale. His PhD research investigated contestation of prehistoric monuments and ancient human remains by contemporary Pagan groups in the UK.

Review :
'The particular contribution of this work is in synthesising and collating the varying attitudes of Pagans and archaeologists to present an overarching perspective that nonetheless avoids the (often dismissive) perspective of the archaeological profession and Pagan hostility to archaeology. The detailed coverage of Paganism and the diversity of its nature is especially important.' Dr John Carman, Ironbridge International Institute for Cultural Heritage, University of Birmingham 'The work offers an original and well researched examination of the relations between Pagan groups, archaeologists and heritage professionals in the UK, and the implications of these engagements for the interest groups. . Rathouse highlights diversity of thinking and the middle ground around which the interest groups might discuss and move forward.' Dr Robert J. Wallis, The Open University 'There is no doubt that the relationship between Pagans on the one side and archaeologists and heritage managers on the other, has long been a vexed one which has produced considerable difficulty for all. It is equally undoubted that the three groups also have a lot in common, that none of them are personal and ideological monoliths, and that they contain many individuals with a good understanding of, and sympathy for, the other groups ... A better sense of why there have been tensions between them, which have regularly erupted into direct conflict, is therefore something which would be valuable to achieve. This work systematically provides that sense, with an analysis of the cultural and ideological underpinnings of each group, and of the spectra of opinions and instincts within each. In so doing, it also furnishes a series of exact case studies to show how and why conflict has occurred over individual sites and causes, and how in some cases this has been ameliorated. It concludes with some general suggestions for better relations in future.' Professor Ronald E. Hutton, University of Bristol