Pasts and pagan practices: moving beyond Stonehenge

BLAIN, J. and WALLIS, R. J. (2006). Pasts and pagan practices: moving beyond Stonehenge. Public archaeology, 5, 211-222.

[img]
Preview
PDF
fulltext.pdf

Download (1MB) | Preview
Official URL: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/maney/pua

Abstract

Theorizing the past is not restricted to archaeology and interpretations of 'past' both influence and are themselves constituted within politicized understandings of self, community and in certain instances, spirituality. 'The past in the imagination of the present' is appropriated, variously, to give meaning to the present or to justify actions and interpret experiences. Summer solstice at Stonehenge, with an estimated 21,000 celebrants in 2005, is only the most publicized appropriation (by pagans and other adherents of alternative spirituality and partying) of a 'sacred site'; and conflicts and negotiations occurring throughout Britain are represented in popular and academic presentations of this 'icon of Britishness'. This paper presents work from the Sacred Sites, Contested Rites/Rights Project (http://www.sacredsites.org.uk) project, a collaboration of archaeology and anthropology informed by pagan and alternative approaches and standpoints investigating and theorizing discourse and practice of heritage management and pagan site users. Whether in negotiations around the Stonehenge solstice access or in dealing with numerous other sites, boundaries between groups or discourses are not clearly drawn - discursive communities merge and re-emerge. But clearly 'past' and 'site' are increasingly important within today's Britain, even as television archaeology increases its following, and pagan numbers continue to grow.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Link to journal home page: http://www.maney.co.uk/journals/pua
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Sociology, Politics and Policy Research Group
Page Range: 211-222
Depositing User: Ann Betterton
Date Deposited: 18 Dec 2008
Last Modified: 18 Mar 2021 13:18
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/61

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics