Material Matters: The Moral Imperative for a Large‐Scale Perspective within the Archaeology of the Contemporary Past.

Abstract

Over the past decade, the archaeology of the contemporary past has become an established sub-field within archaeology. Yet, the overwhelming majority of research conducted within this sub-field is concerned with the study of immaterial social meanings that humans ascribe to materiality. The consequences of material as a physical entity are ignored. Although some contemporary archaeologists have sought to examine what the material does, they have been hindered by an emphasis on small-scale, synchronic approaches to research. The aim of this thesis is to argue that the archaeology of the contemporary past should incorporate an alternative approach to conducting investigations into contemporary materiality. I seek to show that the research of meta-categories of materiality, such as garbage, urbanism, weaponry and industry, fit within the current concern of contemporary archaeology to undertake a morally engaged archaeological practice. The moral imperative to investigate entire categories of materiality stems from the fact that the material component of community life generates its own outcomes. These outcomes are necessary for us to comprehend as fully as possible if we are to have any chance to avoid the negative consequences with which they are associated. Because of this large-scale investigations of contemporary are a necessary undertaking for contemporary archaeology.