Lingering Tropes and Noteworthy Narratives in Recent Archaeology Exhibitions

On the first Monday of every month, the American Journal of Archaeology publishes online a list of current and upcoming exhibitions related to topics within the scope of the journal (https://www.ajaonline.org/exhibits). A survey of the listings, which cover the years 2017–2021, tells two stories. The first, centering on exhibition titles, points to the residual power of lingering tropes, with an image of archaeology in which pharaohs and treasures loom large. The second story points to noteworthy narratives, including histories of collecting, museums, and fieldwork, along with shows that bring ancient objects together with works by contemporary artists. This story has to do with multilayered histories of objects, with questions of provenance, heritage, and representation. Examination of some specific examples highlights ways in which exhibitions have been exploring the roles of museums as sites of collection, fragmentation, preservation, and decontextualization.