Making sense of the past: The embodied information practices of field archaeologists. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Olsson, Michael
• Is Part Of: Journal of information science. Volume 42:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 410
• Page End: 419
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Author keywords -- embodied information practices -- ethnography -- information practices -- sense-making; Information science -- Periodicals; Information science; Periodicals; 020.5
• DOI: 10.1177/0165551515621839
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-5515

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a study of the information practices of archaeologists, students and volunteers undertaking an excavation in the field. Conceptually, the study was guided by a social constructionist and practice-theoretical epistemological standpoint. Methodologically, the study employed a multi-faceted approach incorporating both ethnographic observation of archaeologists working in the field and in-depth interviews. The findings show that participants' practices were both social and embodied in nature.