That is an interesting reply, Richard. In doing an Arch Assessment 
with an old water driven Grist Mill I was lucky enough to be able to 
converse with several senior folks, picking their brains for grains 
of information. I gathered much info that placed me in the right spot 
for a successful dig. Those fine folks gave me direction otherwise I 
would have had to SWAG the area and missed the site completely. 
Thanks for your input. It really makes good sense!!!
DTP


At 11:57 AM 7/19/2007, you wrote:
>Susan:
>
>I heartily agree.  As an "Hysterical Archaeologist", I would only 
>add that the knowledge of ethnographic interviewing of informants is 
>also very useful.  I would rather talk to an informant about a site, 
>feature or artifact than to guess or go on the internet. That proved 
>to be very beneficial, recently, in finding a "lost" Mexican 
>Presidio in Arizona.
>
>Richard J. Lundin, BA, MA, RPA, ISAP
>Consulting Historical Archaeologist & Remote Sensing Specialist
>Director, Wondjina Research Institute
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Susan Walter" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 9:28 AM
>Subject: Re: Hysterical Archaeology
>
>
>>David,
>>In my mind, the simplest explanation is that historical archaeology concerns
>>the study of people whose cultures had writing.  There are extenuating
>>circumstances, but that applies to every discipline...fuzzy edges are
>>common, everywhere.
>>S. Walter
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "David Parkhill" <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 8:22 AM
>>Subject: Hysterical Archaeology
>>
>>
>>>I am trying my best to understand all of the evaluations concerning the
>>>terms "Historical Archaeology", "History"and "Archaeology". The more I
>>>read, (it is all very good!) the more confused I become.
>>>
>>>It seems to me some folks are trying to defend their "Sacred Positions",
>>>which I find is usual among intellectuals, while others are trying to just
>>>confuse the issue. Being a neophyte in this area of study I keep asking,
>>>Huh? So if I may be so bold as to admit, "I don't know!" Then "What the
>>>heck is Historical Archaeology ?"
>>>
>>>With all due respect, I am really impressed with the quality and knowledge
>>>of all of you and your willingness to share and support each other.
>>>
>>>Best regards