Reflections on an Archaeological Ethnography of 'Looting' in Kozani, Greece

Author: Antoniadou, Ioanna

Source: Public Archaeology, Volume 8, Numbers 2-3, August 2009 , pp. 246-261(16)

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Abstract:

The first part of this paper provides a concise overview of the ethnographies of 'looting', demonstrating the importance of this kind of archaeological ethnography in understanding the phenomenon; the paper also emphasizes the need to encompass reflexivity in terms of the impact and the sociopolitical dimensions of professional archaeology upon public perceptions and treatments of the material past. Such a reflexive archaeological ethnography of 'looting' is instrumental for two reasons: it allows for the recognition of the power imbalances in the production of the past; and, most importantly, it gives voice to unofficial, indigenous meanings of and engagements with material remains. In the second part of the paper, the author explores how her ethnography of 'looting' conducted in Kozani, Greece opened the way for reflecting on her relationship with the people she interacted with. In particular, she discusses her personal experience in wrestling with ethical dilemmas that emerged from the dual official role that she came to carry: that of the archaeologist and the ethnographer.

Keywords: ARCHAEOLOGICAL ETHNOGRAPHY; POLITICS; ETHICS; UNOFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS; REFLEXIVITY; GREECE; LOOTING

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/175355309X457259

Affiliations: Archaeology, School of Humanities, University of Southampton SO17, 1BJ, UK;, Email: ia05@soton.ac.uk

Publication date: 2009-08-01

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