Becoming a critically engaged storyteller: an interrogation of ArcGIS StoryMaps as a public communication tool in archaeology

Abstract

Despite their responsibility to share the findings of their research with the public, archaeologists have not always done so in a way that is accessible and engaging to public audiences. This thesis examines the ArcGIS StoryMaps feature developed by the GIS software company Esri to determine if it can serve as a useful tool for accessible and engaging public communication in the discipline of archaeology. For this research, a StoryMap about the archaeological excavations at Isert Kelly Castle, a towerhouse site in Co. Galway in Ireland, was created and shared on social media and information was gathered from three other archaeological groups who have employed StoryMaps. Through an analysis of the social media engagement data and other analytics that were gathered about this StoryMap as well as the information gathered from the other archaeological groups, numerous advantages of the platform for archaeologists were uncovered. StoryMaps offer a unique opportunity for archaeologists to easily integrate current digital datasets (e.g. 3D models, hypermedia, digital mapping) and interactivity into their work while simultaneously unravelling an intriguing archaeological narrative that is engaging to the public. Furthermore, by embracing the role of a “critically engaged storyteller” and the “multiple perspective model” of public archaeology, archaeologists can use StoryMaps to engage with the public in a way that democratizes the discipline, making it more accessible, ethical, open to criticism, and inclusive of a plurality of perspectives. This thesis suggests that the platform has numerous features that are particularly advantageous for archaeologists as critically engaged storytellers, including the editability and general accessibility of StoryMaps, and their ability to effectively engage with existing audiences. A more accessible and engaging archaeology is also beneficial for the public who draw their own personal value from and form their own individual interpretations about archaeological research.