My name is Lloyd Bosworth and this blog is an extension of my completed MA thesis (University of York) which looked at how the photographic image is used within archaeology and specifically how this powerful medium could be used to greater and more varied effect.
My intention is to gather feedback and comments on the issues raised by the content of this blog and, as such, it will grow over time not only as visitors add comments and feedback. but also as new content is added. If you are interested in any of the content on this blog, be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed (found at the bottom of each page) to keep yourself up-to-date.
Introduction
The use of photography in archaeology is commonplace today. One needs simply to pick up an archaeological report, journal or monograph to be confronted by images of artefacts, sharp in their every detail; images of monuments, from a narrow viewpoint to reveal shape or form and also from a wider perspective to include their landscape settings; images of excavation sections, plans and site overviews. When encountered in archaeological literature, the photographic image is most commonly used to illustrate a point, to create a point of reference for an object or place or to communicate ideas that have already been mentioned in the text. The photographic image is also used as a witness, to create a record or archive, to guarantee the preservation of something essential and important about a site that is being destroyed by the very act of excavation or to preserve a monument or landscape that may be lost through other forces or circumstances.
So powerful is the photographic image at communicating ideas, that its use has become ubiquitous and firmly embedded in the regular cycle of work performed by archaeologists (Bateman 2005, 194). At the same time, its ubiquity has often led to the photographic image being taken for granted and questions of the camera’s objectivity, neutrality, and ability to seemingly capture ‘what is there’, have rarely been questioned (Shanks 1997, 73). It was, then, the object of my thesis to question the current use of the photographic image in archaeology and, through carefully chosen case studies, present a new view of archaeology and archaeological practice, through photography.
For anyone who wishes to read more, or in more depth, on the issues raised in this blog and by my thesis, you can view my bibliography here.
Hi Lloyd -
I am currently completing my Honours in Archaeology and I am also working on a similar topic, but looking at the influence that the introduction of photography had on the interpretation of archaeological sites, with the transition from lithography and painting to the use of photographic recording, between the years 1800 to 1900.
As a professional photographer (and photographic historian), I am especially interested in the transition of interpretation and how it affected the public’s view and opinion of these “newly discovered” sites. From an educational and public archaeology viewpoint, there is really not much written in this area, but it was a very important change in technique and technology that has influenced the way that archaeology has been recorded, published and marketed over the last 160 or so years.
If there is other material out there, please let me know!
Thanks!