Nearly 20 years ago, a number of us in Maryland wrote letters to the Department of Natural Resources and the public television station for purchasing and airing a series on metal detecting for fun and profit, pointing out that apart from showing these guys digging into stream banks, the series promoted a message that conflicted with the Department's gospel of resource conservation. The station ended up not renewing their agreement with the producers, although that may have been as much because the program sucked (bad in most anyone's estimation) as the letter writing campaign.
Somebody produces these shows and then sells them. The thing to do is to discourage people from buying and airing the shows. Doesn't prevent damage during filming, but discourages others from undertaking similar projects.
James G. Gibb
Gibb Archaeological Consulting
2554 Carrollton Road
Annapolis, Maryland USA ?? 21403
443.482.9593 (Land) 410.693.3847 (Cell)
www.gibbarchaeology.org ? www.porttobacco.blogspot.com
On 01/10/12, scarlett<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
I seriously doubt that the show's producers care what we think. Just like the Ancient Aliens crowd, "all publicity is good publicity" for show business. Official letters of protest might even increase the market-appeal of the show. The networks, perhaps a bit more, but not really. "See the digs the professional archaeologists don't want you to see! What could they possibly have found to stir up so much trouble? Find out next week!" This works really well for the ancient aliens people.
Besides, with certain very special exceptions, there is no legal way to stop people that want to dig in their back yard. Certainly no way to win the publicity war that would certainly ensue.
Many people will do anything to be on TV for their 15 minutes. And that's ok, in my opinion.
A better technique might be to spread the word among reporters and social media about three things:
1. Sending a very clear message that people who care about the history of their communities will understand that digging this way is like burning family heirlooms. A big bonfire will be exciting for about 20 minutes, but you loose in the log term.
2. Point out the pain-in-the-ass that certain types of discoveries could be for home owners allowing digs without professional involvement: NAGPRA and environmental remediation among them.
3. Remind the public that programs like Time Team are much more archaeological "reality" than mucking around in your friend's garden. This is the power of positive role models.
Cheers,
Tim
On Jan 10, 2012, at 1:50 PM, Melissa Diamanti wrote:
> Who do we send our criticisms to? Has anyone got actual contact info for the show?
>
>
> --- On Mon, 1/9/12, Jones, Joseph B <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> From: Jones, Joseph B <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Reality TV Producer Planning to dig up Archaeological Resources on Private Land in St. Augustine, FL
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Monday, January 9, 2012, 3:30 PM
>
> This is something all archaeologists should be pretty concerned about, in my humble opinion:
>
> http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2012-01-05/crews-dig-backyards-tv-show-raising-objections-city-archaeologist#.TwtNrYHNk_Q
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