ABSTRACT
In this chapter, archaeology has been chosen as a case study of an academically sanctioned activity, and metal-detecting and beliefs in 'alternative archaeology' have been chosen as non-sanctioned phenomena. The latter include beliefs in prehistoric visits from extra-terrestrials or mysterious forces at Stonehenge (associated with ley-line beliefs (Williamson and Bellamy 1983)), chosen because of their apparent popularity, and because there were suggestions in the literature that they would be embraced by the sort of people who do not visit museums. By understanding the attraction of these alternatives, our comprehension of the role of the past would be widened, and museum curators and archaeologists would be in a better position to understand the sorts of approach to public dissemination that might appeal to non-visitors.
