In this formative period, archaeology developed as a respected scientific discipline distinct from antiquarianism. How and what it studied, by whom and why was worked out. Early archaeologists sought to demonstrate their relevance to society and establish authority while some, despite resistance, endeavoured to widen access. However, the history of archaeology’s relationship with the public is understudied. New approaches are required which account for the entanglement of archaeology with society, recognise the role of non-specialists in the production of knowledge and consider a wide range of factors and social frameworks. I am particularly interested in the experiences of those who would have been excluded from academia such as labourers who made discoveries and female relatives of early archaeologists, as well as the intended beneficiaries of archaeology’s public value.

The theme of public value emerged from my master’s research on Leicester’s archaeological pioneers James Francis Hollings (1806-1862) and James Thompson (1817-1877). It was unexpectedly found that public value was a distinguishing feature used to distance archaeology from antiquarianism as well as a primary motivation for their efforts to widen participation and gain support. This highlights the need for further research. Current demands from the state and funders for public value require archaeology to improve its relationship with the public to ensure their explicit benefit. Understanding the role of public value in the recursive development of archaeology and its relationship with the public will foster reflexivity and act as both a source of inspiration and means for engaging the public and ensuring public value.

The research will have both national and local components, using a variety of primary resources held in digital and physical archives. The national research will be centred on the British Archaeological Association and Archaeological Institute, using printed transactions, the Society of Antiquaries’ archive and The Times Digital Archive. Local press coverage of their annual congresses will be analysed via the British Newspaper Archive. Two local case studies will be chosen which, along with Leicester, reflect contrasting socio-economic, historical and geographical contexts. The case studies will involve archival and newspaper research on local archaeological organisations and the marginalised individuals found in the process.