“Agent of Diplomacy: Archaeology as an Element of the Foreign Relations Toolkit”
Thursday February 28th 2013, 4-6pm
Munk School of Global Affairs, Room 208N, 1 Devonshire Place

Click here to register as an attendee

Archaeology and archaeologists are routinely deployed as “agents of the state”, acting as official and unofficial ambassadors on behalf of their countries of origin. As a result of coalition forces’ failure to protect cultural institutions in Iraq, unwanted operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and recent inactivity in protecting the cultural resources and people in places like Mali and Syria, it is essential for the US to present a kinder, gentler, caring face. What better way to reconfigure negative perceptions than through archaeology and the conservation and investigation of the common history of humankind?

Archaeology and archaeologists can and do play a vital role in furthering diplomatic goals and agendas in countries and areas of the world where an apolitical, non-military appearance is very desirable. Through an examination of various programs at the U.S. Department of State, this discussion will assesses the interplay between archaeology and cultural diplomacy in shaping U.S. cultural heritage policy and diplomatic relations in the international arena.

This event explores research Dr Kersel presents in US Cultural Diplomacy and Archaeology (Routledge, 2012). Click here to take a sneak peek inside. To enquire about reviewing this book for your publication, please email archaeology@routledge.com.