‘Trowel and Error: A Public User Needs Survey for Archaeology’ explores how people across the UK engage with, value, and access archaeological information.
Council for British Archaeology writes:
Led by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) in partnership with MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology), and funded by Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland, and Cadw, the project gathered insight from more than 3,100 people, including archaeologists, students, volunteers, heritage professionals, and members of the public.
Building on the original 2001 Publication User Needs Survey, this research examines how digital technology, social media, and shifting audience expectations are transforming the way archaeological information is shared. The findings offer a detailed picture of what people look for in archaeological communication today, and how the sector can make its work more open, relevant, and accessible.
‘[A]rchaeology, it’s not just a bit of broken pot. Or a, you know, a bone. It’s what it says and it what it starts the process within ourselves, looking at it and thinking about it and just being in touch and also that fantastic feeling that one has that you know there’s people been doing this for 10s of thousands of years and…what am I worried about?’ – Workshop participant
This webpage hosts the full report, public summaries, and the supporting appendices.
