The Oxford Handbook of Public Archaeology, edited by Robin Skeates, Carol McDavid and John Carman, just came out last month (March, 2012)…I co-authored one of the chapters (Chapter 31: “Descent community partnering, the politics of time, and the logistics of reality: tales from North American, African diaspora, archaeology”)…but I have to confess, the volume ain’t cheap…

According to the OUP website, the volume seeks to…

reappraise the place of archaeology in the contemporary world by providing a series of essays that critically engage with both old and current debates in the field of public archaeology. Divided into four distinct sections and drawing across disciplines in this dynamic field, the volume aims to evaluate the range of research strategies and methods used in archaeological heritage and museum studies, identify and contribute to key contemporary debates, critically explore the history of archaeological resource management, and question the fundamental principles and practices through which the archaeological past is understood and used today.

The volume also includes many friends & colleagues such as Fred McGhee, Adrian Praetzellis, Barbara Little, Michael Nassaney, Margaret Purser, Kevin Bartoy, Patrice Jeppson, Cheryl LaRoche, Alice Kehoe, and David Gadsby…and many, many more (it’s a “cast of thousands”). Check it out (probably, quite literally…”check it out” of the nearest research library that has the money to buy it).

Dr. Jamie Brandon gives a public lecture about the 2011 Arkansas Archeological Society Summer Training Program to an audience in El Dorado, AR.

My blog post “Making Historical Archaeology Visible: Community Outreach and Education ” can be read on both The Society for Historical Archaeology Blog (Current Topics section) and my own blog, Farther Along…The post tackles some of my frustration with the fact that our discipline talks about public archaeology, but does not take it seriously (it also talks about the use of social media and TV shows)…My post appeared March 22, 2012. My colleague John Roby responded on his own Digs & Docs blog with an interesting post built on my SHA Blog post.

The Society for Historical Archaeology Blog is the hub for SHA Social, the organization’s social media outlet. At this site, both members and non-members are welcome to read, share, and discuss topics posted by the SHA leadership, committees, and membership. These posts will reflect a wide-range of topics, including updates about new journal issues, conference planning, new archaeological resources in public education and technology, and pieces by SHA members about their current research and interests.

Farther Along

Then Dig is a group blog that centers on the archeological short-form. Conceived after a popular blog carnival leading up to the “Blogging Archaeology” session at the 76th meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Then Dig intends to bring the best of archaeological blogging together in one place.

Then Dig is hosted by the Archaeological Research Facility at the University of California, Berkeley.

Why the Name “Farther Along…”?

The name comes from the traditional song “Farther Along”–long a favorite of artists such as The Osborn Brothers, the Flying Burrito Bros., Emmy Lou Harris, George Hamilton IV, Sam Cooke, Dolly Parton, Mississippi John Hurt, Ray Price, the Oakridge Boys, Rose Maddox, Elvis Presley, The Byrds, David Grisman and the Bad Livers.

“Farther along we’ll know more about it.
Farther along we’ll understand why.
Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine…
we’ll understand it all by and by…”

I am the Arkansas Archeological Survey’s Research Station Archeologist at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and an Assistant Professor of anthropology at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. In this “dual” position I teach anthropology courses for SAU’s Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and I am responsible for the archaeological resources in my station territory–11 counties in southwestern Arkansas.

I’m updating the design of this website for the first time since 2006 (this site has been around since 2003)…so bear with me.

You can also follow me on various social media: