I’ll give you ‘punk archaeology’, sunshine

This article examines the ‘punk archaeology’ movement through the lens of the present economic circumstances of public archaeology in the United Kingdom. It will situate the DIY aesthetic of punk archaeology within the capitalist economy, and will discuss the variety of political and economic issues demanding critical examination which emerge from the punk aesthetic enjoyed by the protagonists of the movement. It will discuss the impact of surveillance and digital capitalism, prosumer commodification, using volunteer labour to replace paid professionals and overarching ethical considerations. It argues that, while the ambitions of the punk archaeology manifesto are laudable, too little critical thought has been applied to the claims it has made for revolution within the discipline of archaeology, and this article will instead make a case for a more considered approach to public archaeology practice.