This is an ancient argument.  There are those who feel that archaeology is a set of techniques, and that a theoretical, or even a methodological grounding in ANY discipline is unnecessary.  I think that since the days of the Binford/Walker exchange, history and anthropology have changed dramatically.  Specifically, historians have been working in a more explicitly cultural framework, and anthropologists have had to admit that the present originated in the past (or pasts).  This is all old news.

As someone who works in urban North America, coming out of a background in anthropological linguistics, I find that I get as much from history, geography, sociology and cultural studies as I do from anthropology.

Lauren J. Cook, RPA
Senior Archaeologist
Richard Grubb & Associates, Inc.
30 North Main Street
Cranbury, NJ 08512

Ph: 609 655-0692 ext 312
Fx: 609 655-3050
email: [log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Cathy
Spude
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 10:31 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: historian/archeologist


HISTARCHers:

First off: my sympathies to Ned Heit's family and friends. Like so many of
us, I never met Ned, but I'll miss him on the list -- and have done so over
the last year or so. He always had such wonderful commentary to add.

As for historians becoming archeologists, I say I'm all for it! We need
diversity, and a great deal of it. I say cultural geographers, art
historians, sociologists, and a whole slew of other social scientists
should join the lot. Who says we should limit ourselves to those who have
degrees in Anthropology? As long as you have the practical experience in
archeological technique and methods, I maintain you can bring a badly
needed perspective to a discipline that has become incestuous.

As for me, I consider myself as much a historian as an archeologist, having
dedicated more time to archives than to digging and surveying these last
ten years, and loving it more, despite my three degrees in Anthropology. I
believe I bring a much needed perspective to that discipline, one that the
historians are finding hard to accept, believe me. I'm being persistant
however, and am getting published in historian's journals, as a historian,
not an archeologist.

Cathy


Catherine Holder Spude ¨ Archeologist ¨ Cultural Resources Management ¨
National Park Service – Intermountain Region ¨ 505.988.6831Voice ¨
505.988.6876 Fax
 The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American
              people so that all may experience our heritage.