Yesterday in class we discussed, among other things, what is archaeology, and who are archaeologists? Some of the questions include: can we call treasure hunters archaeologists? Is it the end-goal that matters, or the methods?
I would say that it has to be a combination of factors.
For clarification, the dictionary defines archaeology as "the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains."
Entries from different dictionaries all include either the words "scientific" or "systematic" along with "study."
So, are treasure hunters archaeologists? By these definitions, mostly, NO.
They do not study the history, they just dig it up. And I don't think they really analyze the artifacts they find, either. Sure, one could say that they excavate, but not all excavation is archaeology, and for that matter, not all archaeology is excavation.
Now onto the second set of questions: Is it the end-goal or the methods which define archaeology, or how some may define "good archaeology" versus "bad archaeology"?
Again, it's a combination of the two. If you have excellent methods, but your goal is to sell the artifacts for profit, then I would say that it cannot be archaeology, because the goal of archaeology should be to to study or preserve, not to sell. If you have every good intention, but your methods are lacking, I would also say that it cannot be archaeology, as it would be neither scientific nor systematic.
If, however, your end-goal and your methods are appropriate, yet you make a profit, that is still archaeology. Thus, Cultural Resource Management, or CRM, is still archaeology because although it does operate on a profit margin, it does not achieve this profit through the sale of artifacts, and the methods are sound. Furthermore, it preserves sites and or artifacts which may be in danger.
While, as always, there will be scenarios that challenge the above, as well as possibly more questions than there are answers, for the present, I could live with myself as an archaeologist as long as I follow these two guidelines: follow sound methods of excavation, and excavate for the pursuit of knowledge.
And now, a silly cartoon...
I would say that it has to be a combination of factors.
For clarification, the dictionary defines archaeology as "the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains."Entries from different dictionaries all include either the words "scientific" or "systematic" along with "study."
So, are treasure hunters archaeologists? By these definitions, mostly, NO.
They do not study the history, they just dig it up. And I don't think they really analyze the artifacts they find, either. Sure, one could say that they excavate, but not all excavation is archaeology, and for that matter, not all archaeology is excavation.
Now onto the second set of questions: Is it the end-goal or the methods which define archaeology, or how some may define "good archaeology" versus "bad archaeology"?
Again, it's a combination of the two. If you have excellent methods, but your goal is to sell the artifacts for profit, then I would say that it cannot be archaeology, because the goal of archaeology should be to to study or preserve, not to sell. If you have every good intention, but your methods are lacking, I would also say that it cannot be archaeology, as it would be neither scientific nor systematic.
If, however, your end-goal and your methods are appropriate, yet you make a profit, that is still archaeology. Thus, Cultural Resource Management, or CRM, is still archaeology because although it does operate on a profit margin, it does not achieve this profit through the sale of artifacts, and the methods are sound. Furthermore, it preserves sites and or artifacts which may be in danger.
While, as always, there will be scenarios that challenge the above, as well as possibly more questions than there are answers, for the present, I could live with myself as an archaeologist as long as I follow these two guidelines: follow sound methods of excavation, and excavate for the pursuit of knowledge.
And now, a silly cartoon...
Can you explain a little more what Cultural Resource Management is? Is it what museums do?
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