En mångfald av innebörder : ett etnologiskt perspektiv på publik arkeologi

Sammanfattning: This paper aims at analyzing in what ways ethnographical stories such as myths, legends, and other stories about archaeological monuments can contribute to public archaeology. The public archaeology in Sweden is currently debating how to engage with the public in meaningful ways. At present, the general standpoint in archaeology is that ethnography is to be considered separately from archaeological monuments, as the ethnography is not part of archaeology. Several European and American archaeologists who have studied the use of folklore and similar ethnographies, however, argue that ethnographies can contribute to the understanding and social impact of archaeological monuments. Their theories are then applied to two Swedish archaeological monuments, Sandby borg on Öland and Högarör in Småland. The results are that ethnographical stories can be used in public archaeology to provide nuance to archaeological monuments. The ethnographies can also interest parts of the public who do not have a keen interest in archaeology. Furthermore, archaeology can play a part in producing new ethnographies about monuments, which is something archaeologists should be aware of.