This volume investigates the evolving role of archaeology within contemporary society and the critical debates surrounding how the past is managed, interpreted, and consumed. The editors, John Carman, Carol McDavid, and Robin Skeates, curate a collection of essays from diverse contributors to evaluate the methodologies and ethical frameworks defining modern public archaeology. The text serves as a comprehensive assessment of how archaeological resource management intersects with public interest and institutional practice.

Experts recognize this handbook as a foundational reference for students and professionals engaged in heritage management and public history. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is designed for scholarly inquiry rather than casual reading.