Sponsor
Portland State University. Department of Anthropology
First Advisor
Virginia Butler
Term of Graduation
Summer 2020
Date of Publication
9-16-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.) in Anthropology
Department
Anthropology
Language
English
Subjects
Community archaeology -- Washington (State), Archaeology -- Public opinion, Place attachment, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (Vancouver, Wash., and Oregon City, Or.)
DOI
10.15760/etd.7456
Physical Description
1 online resource (xi, 197 pages)
Abstract
Current archaeological literature calls for archaeology to become increasingly relevant in the modern world. Involvement in archaeological research can enhance the relevancy of archaeology for participants of public archaeology projects by strengthening personal connections with heritage and history. To investigate the impact of direct involvement in archaeological research on residents in Vancouver, Washington, I recruited members of two neighborhoods associated with Fort Vancouver National Historic Site to participate in the archaeological search for material remains of the first (1825-1829) Fort Vancouver. I asked the question: How does involvement in a public archaeology project affect participants' feelings about heritage, archaeology, and place attachment?
This project employed four methods. 1) Documentary research examined the history of the first Fort Vancouver and the project area. 2) Public outreach methods created community interest in the project, facilitated interactions between myself and community members, and aided in recruitment of participants. 3) Ethnographic methods included informational interviews with long-time area residents; ethnographic interviews with excavation participants to gauge impacts on feelings toward heritage, archaeology and place attachment; and surveys to collect the thoughts and views of the wider public. 4) Archaeological excavation with residents on private property searched for material remains of the first Fort Vancouver, as well as evidence of the history of the project area.
A combination of documentary, ethnographic, and archaeological evidence points to one section of the project area as the most likely location of the first Fort Vancouver. The history of the project area landscape is reflected in artifacts recorded across the project area during archaeological excavations. Precontact-era items signal the use of the land by Native American groups, mid- to late-19th-century artifacts identify a potential location of British occupation, and the large number of objects dating from the early 20th century to the present demonstrate the rapid growth and wide-spread development of the project area beginning around 1900.
Results from my ethnographic research suggest that knowledge of and direct involvement in a local archaeological project strengthens feelings in various communities of stakeholders toward heritage, archaeology, and place. Place attachment plays an important role in fostering place-based inclusion in area heritage and history. And connections to past people realized through involvement in archaeological research reveals the relevancy of this research to various communities of stakeholders.
Rights
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/34134
Recommended Citation
Clearman, Amy Carolyn, "Engaging Communities in Archaeology on Private Property in an Urban Neighborhood: the Search for the First (1825-1829) Fort Vancouver, Vancouver, Washington" (2020). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 5584.
https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.7456