Buggering Around in the Backyard: Creating Attachment to Place through Archaeology and Material Culture

Archaeologists create strong attachments to the places they investigate, in particular through the performance of excavation. However, the social value of archaeological places to archaeologists is rarely considered when it comes to conservation management planning of excavated heritage places. While community values, particularly values held by Aboriginal people, and scientific values are commonly identified, assessed and managed in Burra Charter terms, the social heritage of places to the discipline of archaeology is not. Explorations of place attachment to my own backyard can contribute to reflecting more broadly on the social value of heritage places to archaeologists, both individually and collectively. The thoughts presented here reflect initial explorations of attachment to place in personal terms. I am interested in exploring my attachment to, and identity connected with, the suburban space at 85 Fairview Street in Arncliffe (FSA) because I believe it can bring insights into the historical and contemporary attachments of other people and groups to their special places. This study provides an opportunity to look at concepts like social value, intangible heritage and associative landscapes, which are hotly debated and contentious in today s heritage discourse.