Abstract

What would Howard Carter have thought of Lara Croft? and why do archaeologists feature so prominently in Star Trek? This is an unusual collection of papers dedicated to exploring the role of the archaeologist in popular culture. The cliches and stereotypes of archaeology that abound in popular culture, the sense of mystery and adventure, the excitement generated by a dangerous treasure hunt or a thrilling detective story, rarely hint at the monotonous hours spent by modern archaeologists researching in laboratories and libraries and filling out paperwork. Yet the role-models provided by fictional characters such as Dr Who, Indiana Jones, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Lara Croft have had a powerful influence on how archaeologists and the practices of archaeology are viewed by the general public. These papers address serious cultural issues relevant to archaeology in the 21st century: colonialism, the indigenous voice, gender roles, objectivity, and "ownership" of the past.