Contract archaeology in South Africa

While contract archaeology has played a significant role in South Africa, a number of ethical concerns have become evident over the years. How enabling are the legal frameworks to contract archaeologists? Whose interest are contract archaeologists serving? How well do they consult affected parties in their work? How well do they communicate their findings, with their colleagues and the public at large? What, if any, has been the role of contract archaeologists in the transformation of South African archaeology? How effective is the current accreditation system run by the Association of Southern African Professional Archaeologists (ASAPA) for contract archaeology in ensuring that specialists operate within fields in which they are experienced? This paper addresses these concerns, focusing on the ethical elements relating to contract archaeology. The aim is to illustrate that while current legislation may have gone some way toward promoting the inclusion of previously excluded communities in the management of heritage resources membership of professional bodies by contract archaeologists still does not best enhance this. ASAPA's failure to ensure that all its members abide by its code of conduct is a cause for concern and it should take steps to improve this situation

Accreditation · Archaeology · Business · Conflict archaeology · Contract management · Historical archaeology · Inclusion (mineral) · Legislation · Political science · Prehistoric archaeology · Public relations · Sociology · Work (physics) · Anthropology · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies · Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation · Engineering · History · Law · Mining and Resource Management

• Professionalisation of South African Archaeology

  Open Access•Ndukuyakhe Ndlovu•Revista Habitus - Revista do…•2020

  Añadir item

• Things of the Nation

  Open Access•Rachel King•Outlaws, Anxiety, and Disorder in…•2019

  Añadir item

• The History of Commercial Archaeology

  Kenneth Aitchison•Oxford Handbook of the History of…•2024

  Añadir item

• Fragmented Approach to Governance? Critical Review of the Role Played by Various Government Departments and Agencies in the Administration of Heritage Matters in South Africa

  Open Access•Ndukuyakhe Ndlovu•Archaeologies•2016

  Añadir item

• Paths Forward for an Engaged Archaeology of Africa’s Deep Pasts

  Open Access•Matthew V Kroot•Archaeologies•2026

  Añadir item

• The Impact of Small-Scale Development Projects on Archaeological Heritage in Africa

  Elgidius B Ichumbaki, Elinaza Mjema•Conservation and Management of…•2018

  Añadir item

• Commentary

  A Haber•Azania Archaeological Research in…•2014

  Añadir item

• Reimagining the Role of African Universities in the Context of Archaeology and Development

  Open Access•Seke Katsamudanga, Ancila Nhamo•African Archaeological Review•2025

  Añadir item

• The symbolic violence of heritage consultancy

  Open Access•Baker, Sarah Baker et al.•International Journal of Heritage…•2025

  Añadir item

• What this awl means

  Janet Spector•What this awl means•1993

  Añadir item

• Legislation as an Instrument in South African Heritage Management

  Ndukuyakhe Ndlovu•Conservation and Management of…•2011

  Añadir item

• Ungendering Civilization

  K Anne Pyburn•Ungendering Civilization•2004

  Añadir item

• Between Valorisation and Devaluation

  Open Access•Cornelia Kleinitz•Archaeologies•2013

  Añadir item

• Public archaeology from a Latin American perspective

  Pedro Paulo Funari, Pedro Paulo A Funari•Public Archaeology•2001

  Añadir item

• Cultural resource management and American archaeology

  Open Access•W Green, William H Green et al.•Journal of Archaeological Research•1998

  Añadir item

• The Cinderella Metaphor

  Janette Deacon•The South African Archaeological…•1993

  Añadir item

• The Legal Protection of Prehistoric and Historic Relics in South Africa

  Jalmar Rudner•The South African Archaeological…•1982

  Añadir item

• The Early Farming Communities of Southern Mozambique

  Martin Hall, M M Hall et al.•The South African Archaeological…•1989

  Añadir item

• Public Archaeology, Indiana Jones, and Honesty

  Open Access•K Anne Pyburn•Archaeologies•2008

  Añadir item

• Unfulfilled promises? Heritage management and community participation at some of Africa's cultural heritage sites

  Shadreck Chirikure, Munyaradzi Manyanga et al.•International Journal of Heritage…•2010

  Añadir item

• Indigenous Archaeology as Decolonizing Practice

  Sonya Atalay•The American Indian Quarterly•2006

  Añadir item

• Contract archaeology in Scotland

  Open Access•Stephen Carter•Antiquity•2002

  Añadir item

• Transforming archaeology through practice

  Stephanie Moser, Darren Glazier et al.•World Archaeology•2002

  Añadir item

• The Archaeology of Colonial Settlement in Southern Africa

  Martin Hall•Annual Review of Anthropology•1993

  Añadir item

• Community Involvement in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Management

  Shadreck Chirikure, Gilbert Pwiti•Current Anthropology•2008

  Añadir item