Essays dealing with the question of how the theory and practice of archaeology should engage with the recent past.Heritage, memory, community archaeology and the politics of the past form the main strands running through the papers in this volume.The authors tackle these subjects from a range of different philosophical perspectives, with manydrawing on the experience of recent community, commercial and other projects. Throughout, there is a strong emphasis on both the philosophy of engagement and with its enactment in specific contexts; the essays deal with an interest in the meaning, value and contested nature of the recent past and in the theory and practice of archaeological engagements with that past. Chris Dalglish is a lecturer in archaeology at the University of Glasgow. Contributors: Julia Beaumont, David Bowsher, Terry Brown, Jo Buckberry, Chris Dalglish, James Dixon, Audrey Horning, Robert Isherwood, Robert C Janaway, Melanie Johnson, Siân Jones, Catriona Mackie, Janet Montgomery, Harold Mytum, Michael Nevell, Natasha Powers, Biddy Simpson, Matt Town, Andrew Wilson

Introduction: Archaeologists, power and the recent past - Chris DalglishOpen-air museums, authenticity and the shaping of cultural identity: an example from the Isle of Man - Catriona MackieLoyal yet independent: archaeological perspectives on remembering and forgetting World War I on the Isle of Man - Harold MytumPublic engagement at Prestongrange: reflections on a community project - Melanie Johnson and Biddy SimpsonArchaeology for all: managing expectations and learning from the past for the future - the Dig Manchester community archaeology experience - Michael NevellRediscovering, preserving and making memories at community archaeology projects - Robert IsherwoodPolitics, publics and professional pragmatics: re-envisioning archaeological practice in Northern Ireland - Audrey HorningArchaeology, politics and politicians, or: Small p in a big P world - James Dixon'No certain roof but the coffin lid': exploring the commercial and academic need for a high level research framework to safeguard the future of the post-medieval burial resource - Terry Brown'No certain roof but the coffin lid': exploring the commercial and academic need for a high level research framework to safeguard the future of the post-medieval burial resource - Natasha Powers'No certain roof but the coffin lid': exploring the commercial and academic need for a high level research framework to safeguard the future of the post-medieval burial resource - Janet Montgomery'No certain roof but the coffin lid': exploring the commercial and academic need for a high level research framework to safeguard the future of the post-medieval burial resource - Andrew Wilson'No certain roof but the coffin lid': exploring the commercial and academic need for a high level research framework to safeguard the future of the post-medieval burial resource - David Bowsher'No certain roof but the coffin lid': exploring the commercial and academic need for a high level research framework to safeguard the future of the post-medieval burial resource - Julia Beaumont'No certain roof but the coffin lid': exploring the commercial and academic need for a high level research framework to safeguard the future of the post-medieval burial resource - Robert C Janaway'Men that are gone...come like shadows, so depart': Research practice and sampling strategies for enhancing our understanding of post-Medieval human remains - Andrew Wilson'Men that are gone...come like shadows, so depart': Research practice and sampling strategies for enhancing our understanding of post-Medieval human remains - Natasha Powers'Men that are gone...come like shadows, so depart': Research practice and sampling strategies for enhancing our understanding of post-Medieval human remains - Janet Montgomery'Men that are gone...come like shadows, so depart': Research practice and sampling strategies for enhancing our understanding of post-Medieval human remains - Jo Buckberry'Men that are gone...come like shadows, so depart': Research practice and sampling strategies for enhancing our understanding of post-Medieval human remains - Julia Beaumont'Men that are gone...come like shadows, so depart': Research practice and sampling strategies for enhancing our understanding of post-Medieval human remains - David Bowsher'Men that are gone...come like shadows, so depart': Research practice and sampling strategies for enhancing our understanding of post-Medieval human remains - Matthew Town'Men that are gone...come like shadows, so depart': Research practice and sampling strategies for enhancing our understanding of post-Medieval human remains - Robert C JanawayReflections: Dialogues Between Past, Present and Future: a Commentary on Engaging the Recent Past - Siân Jones