Strategy 1: Improving public engagement and education

Allowing both the wider archaeological sector and the public to engage with the Mesolithic will aid in the progression of Mesolithic research as set out in all three primary research themes, as well as improving conservation and management of the resource. In addition, it is important to establish the period as a key part of Britain’s history alongside other better-known periods, by demonstrating the exciting potential of the resource and the importance of new discoveries.

The Mesolithic has been conspicuous by its relatively low profile amongst the public and even within archaeological circles. This low profile means that innovative means of communication need to be sought so that the Mesolithic can compete both with the older and more ‘exotic’ Palaeolithic, and later periods replete with monumental archaeology and more familiar means of living. However, since 1999, there has been a sizeable shift in attitudes to public engagement and a sense of duty to communicate archaeological findings of projects more widely. In fact, impact beyond academic circles is now positively encouraged.

S1.1: National media coverage should be increased to demonstrate the high relevance (to current social, political and environmental concerns) of earlier human adaptations to changes in climate and relative sea level during the Mesolithic.

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https://researchframeworks.org/meso/researchframework/v1/strategy/strategy-5fbe581e500a7
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25/11/2020
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S1.2: Museums should be encouraged to establish a greater presence for the Mesolithic: currently the visibility of the period from displays is generally minimal, particularly when compared to other countries in Europe, such as Denmark, where the presentation of the Mesolithic is much more prominent.

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https://researchframeworks.org/meso/researchframework/v1/strategy/strategy-5fbe58360d01a
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25/11/2020
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S1.3: Innovative means of presentation should be explored to present Early Holocene archaeology to the public, particularly digital technologies which can be made accessible over the internet. Resources should be developed on the identification of materials, particularly lithics, and opportunities could be provided for handling. Innovative means of presentation should be tested, such as rotating images using multi-image photogrammetry (structure-from-motion) which could be mounted on websites, or 3D printing of key diagnostic pieces.

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https://researchframeworks.org/meso/researchframework/v1/strategy/strategy-5fbe584b5b287
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25/11/2020
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S1.4: Engagement with local communities is essential to engender a spirit of shared ownership in decision-making about how land is managed and the means by which archaeology is accessed and preserved. Working with local societies and raising awareness among relevant people about at-risk zones, such as eroding coastlines, could help with monitoring and research.

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25/11/2020
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S1.5: Workshops could be set up to train interested parties in Mesolithic archaeology and how to identify materials from this period.

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25/11/2020
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S1.6: Archaeologists should actively engage schools in diverse ways (such as visits by archaeologists or production of resource packs) to expose primary and secondary education professionals and pupils to an otherwise remote period. We should also aim to establish the Mesolithic as a component period of prehistory within the National Curriculum.

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https://researchframeworks.org/meso/researchframework/v1/strategy/strategy-5fbe588a1944f
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25/11/2020
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S.1.7: We should assess the extent to which undergraduates have an understanding of the Mesolithic and increase the opportunities for training on Mesolithic sites: it is critical that future generations of archaeologists are made fully aware of Mesolithic issues, as part of developing and applying appropriate research methodologies in prehistory.

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https://researchframeworks.org/meso/researchframework/v1/strategy/strategy-5fbe589f710c3
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25/11/2020
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S.1.8: PhD research undertaken since the last framework has provided a significant and important output for the Mesolithic but opportunities for postgraduate research have now fallen significantly due to changes in AHRC funding routes. New ways of funding should be sought, for instance, through the new AHRC collaborative doctoral partnerships which could provide an opportunity for potential Mesolithic researchers to work with organisations such as Historic England or the British Museum.

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https://researchframeworks.org/meso/researchframework/v1/strategy/strategy-5fbe58bf595dc
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Active
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Date accepted:
25/11/2020
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Case Study: Engaging people with Star Carr. Nicky Milner, University of York

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