Using Public Archaeology towards protecting and managing the archaeological sites in Dakhla Oasis

نوع المستند : المقالة الأصلية

المؤلفون

المستخلص

One of the debatable issues in archaeology is the identification of a special relationship between a local community and an archaeological site. Different stakeholders should be engaged in the management process of archaeological sites, but one of the most crucial considerations is the right of local people to be involved in the site management.
Beliefs and misconceptions about the archaeological areas as belonging to foreigners only and tourism, lack of educational curricula that links modern generations with their heritage, looting and vandalism of archaeological sites, especially in times of crisis, all of these aspects are the results of the lack of the sustainable management plans of archaeological sites.
This paper aims to shed light on public archaeology and its definition, approaches and methodologies, which are leading to produce an effective management plan for the archaeological sites. It will focus on the Western Desert generally and Dakhla oasis particularly as far this region is considered the cradle of the roots of the ancient Egyptian civilization and nowadays one of the most valuable resources for the economic national development. In view of the natural and cultural features of the Dakhla Oasis, and throughout the visits to the study area the researchers recognized the importance to conduct a real project in Dakhla Oasis based on public archaeology and its methodologies, so here we will try to give the required guidelines for such a project based on the previous projects conducted in Egypt in other different places.

الكلمات الرئيسية