“An interpreter is one who helps visitors to connect emotionally and intellectually with park resources and ultimately join in efforts to protect and preserve them.  In this sense, an archeologist is an interpreter.”

-from “Interpretation for Archeologists: A Guide to Increasing Knowledge,
Skills, and Abilities,” 2003

Many interpreters and archaeologists agree on the great potential that archaeology can serve in supplementing our national history.  There is no set recipe on how to incorporate archaeologists into park interpretation…. However, the importance of national parks in the consciousness of the American public in creating our national identity makes the challenge worthwhile.”

-Paul Shackel, 200

Rules for archaeological writers:

1.     Find a hook!

2.     Tell a story.

3.     Include yourself.

4.     Write in plain English
(or Spanish or Hopi)

5.     Talk to a single reader.

6.     Create memorable identifiers.

7.     Use only the data you need.

8.     Present data visually.

9.     Emphasize theory and method.

10.  Always think of your audience.

-from AltaMira Press,

Mitch Allen, 2002

Interpretation for Archeologists:  Online Training

This online course helps archeologists to examine the art and science through which public interpretations are made. It also addresses the archeologist's obligation to provide public interpretation of our cultural heritage. By working through this course and associated materials archeologists may gain a firm foundation in and understanding of the purpose, philosophy, and techniques of interpretation.

This course helps archeologists develop a basic foundation in the art and science of interpretation. It addresses the archeologist's obligation to provide public interpretation and education opportunities to the increasingly common global visitor to ensure protection of America's archeological record now and into the future.  It provides archeologists with tools to help offer visitors opportunities to make intellectual and emotional connections with archeological resources, their meanings, their significance, and their stories. Also addressed is the archeologist's responsibility to work with interpreters to provide interpretation and educational opportunities to increase public awareness of and concern for the protection of America's archeological resources.

This course addresses several topics of interest to archeologists:

	How interpretation and education meet the NPS and park mission and objectives;
	Identifying universal concepts and interpretive themes associated with the archeological record;
	Identifying and presenting multiple perspectives;
	Basic skills and techniques for developing effective interpretive presentations;
	Developing various interpretive media to present Park archeological themes; and
	Examples of how NPS archeologists and interpreters encourage stewardship by facilitating visitors' experience with and relationship to archeological resources.

The course provides examples of how archeological resources may be effectively interpreted in national parks. These examples are provided through web links and suggested interpretive strategies offered in the following boxes included throughout the online guide:

	FOR YOUR INFORMATION
	CASE STUDY
	TRY IT YOURSELF
	FUN FACT
	USE WHAT YOU KNOW

This course is designed for archeologists who are interested in or need to learn more about interpreting archeological resources for the public. Since the National Park Service developed this guide, course participants are expected to include archeologists, cultural resources managers, and other NPS staff who investigate, interpret, preserve, and share with the public information about archeological resources.

Online Training Assistance

The online training courses are designed for participants to use at their own pace in line with their own schedules. Participants enrolled in the four-module program presented in this manual, however, are expected to complete this course within a specified time frame during winter months. During this period, participants will have online assistance available to them at regularly scheduled times as part of the course program. Assistance will be available electronically from faculty members selected specifically for these modules.

The two different online training programs are intended for archeologists and interpreters to gain knowledge of and insight into the purpose, methods, and techniques of each other’s disciplines. It would be useful, however, for each participant to peruse the online training program for his or her own discipline. Doing so would facilitate joint participation by archeologists and interpreters throughout the remaining courses.

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An Inspiring Guide

I. Introduction

II. Overview of the Program

III. Meeting the Mission

IV. The Public Meaning of Archeological Heritage

V. Archeology and Interpretation

VI. Study Tour of Parks

VII. Interpretive Products

VIII. Credits

IX. References

X. Resources and Links

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