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The Brexit hypothesis and prehistory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2018

Kenneth Brophy Open the ORCID record for Kenneth Brophy [Opens in a new window]
Kenneth Brophy*
Affiliation:
Archaeology, School of Humanities, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Archaeologists have more opportunities than ever to disseminate their research widely—and the public more opportunities to engage and respond. This has led to the increasing mobilisation of archaeological data and interpretations within the discourses of nationalism and identity politics. This debate piece introduces the Brexit hypothesis, the proposition that any archaeological discovery in Europe can—and probably will—be exploited to argue in support of, or against, Brexit. Examples demonstrate how archaeological and ancient DNA studies are appropriated for political ends, and a series of recommendations and strategies for combatting such exploitation are proposed by the author.

Keywords

EuropeBritainprehistoryBrexitnationalismaDNA
Type
Debate
Information
Antiquity , Volume 92 , Issue 366 , December 2018 , pp. 1650 - 1658
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2018 

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