“More than a decade ago, I argued (World Archaeology 42(3), 2010, 381-393) that archaeologists contribute most to contemporary society by telling stories and meta-stories which are defined as stories in which the contemporary audiences themselves feature as characters, engulfed in a plot about archaeology or the past that gives some meaning or perspective to their present-day lives. I argued that archaeology matters when its meta-stories matter. In regard to the past, I suggested that archaeology’s meta-stories explore (1) what it means to be human, (2) who we are as members of a particular human group, and (3) how we might be living under different circumstances. In the present paper, I argue that a decade later, archaeologists still need to get better at understanding and critically appreciating the overarching meta-stories they tell. The COVID-19 pandemic has been driving home that it may be more urgent than ever to take a global perspective in developing solutions to challenges to humankind, while any forms of tribalism based on exclusive group identities (promoted by conventional notions of cultural heritage) are potential liabilities that make finding appropriate solutions harder. But can archaeology also tell meta-stories that do not only suggest alternative ways of life but also alternative ways of thinking about other people? How can archaeology tell meta-stories that contribute to mutual trust, understanding and respect among all human beings and advance collaboration across borders? I will present some ideas in relation to an alternative concept of archaeological heritage, avoiding tribalism and advancing innovative meta-stories in relation to the past.”