| dc.description.abstract | Climate change is widely acknowledged to be one of the most pressing issues of our time. The effects of the current climate crisis will impact on all areas of society. Museums, as trusted public institutions and sites of learning and inspiration, are starting to address their role in the effective communication of climate change. With their multi-disciplinary collections and expertise, museums have the resources to engage audiences with the causes and results of climate change in ways that are positive and affirming, in the face of the frequently negative and frightening narratives in the media. Museum archaeology has so far received little attention in the growing discourse around museums as climate change communicators. This study seeks to investigate the potential for an archaeological voice to be heard in climate change engagement in museums. The connections between archaeology and climate change are explored, in the context of human response to environmental change both in the past and today. Museums as sites for the communication and creation of archaeological knowledge are examined, along with a consideration of the visitor experience, museum objects and constructivist learning in the museum. The qualities that make museums appropriate places for climate change communication are analysed, as well as the constraints they face. Examples of climate change initiatives in museums are outlined. Using data gathered from structured interviews with museum practitioners, and empirical observations made at selected museums, reflections and suggestions are offered on the opportunities that exist for museums to create climate change engagement involving archaeological objects and ideas. Archaeology by its nature demonstrates resilience, adaptation and survival. This study concludes that by bringing a human element to ‘difficult’ science, along with a wealth of stories, archaeology has a unique contribution to make in museum narratives of climate change. Key words Climate change communication, public archaeology, role of museums, museum learning, structured interviews | en_GB |
