> I was at the same field school as Mr. Buckler, and I'd like to offer
> an alternative opinion.  Although the PI (Mark Leone) and grad students
> directing the dig were all "white," they were also specialists in
> African-American archaeology and therefore, I feel, very qualified
> to dig the site.  The sole African-American excavator did offer some
> alternative opinions, and these were welcomed--in fact, he was often
> sought out for his opinion.  I *do not* think the dig suffered from only
> having one African-American excavator.  In the first place, the heads
> of the project were all experienced and qualified.  In the second place,
> the director, Mark Leone, worked WITH the local African-American historical
> society in both planning AND interpreting the dig, and several members
> of the society came to tour the site and observe its progress.  Therefore,
> I feel the African-American voice was sought out, listened to, and given
> much importance by Leone and the others.
>
 
Again, this is simply my opinion.  This was not meant to imply that
someone did not do their job, or was being insensitive.  It was simply
that I felt unable to offer an opinion that was not subjective or ignorant.
Therefore for me, the dig suffered in theory, not in practice.  Everyone
on the dig was very qualified.
 
> Also, I too felt that at times I was "operating in a vacuum" and could
> not "confidently offer an opinion," but that was, in my case, not due to
> there being insufficient African-American participation in the project
> but entirely due to the fact that it was a field school and I was
> *learning* how to be an archaeologist!  I felt there was a lot of
> African-American participation; I guess Mr. Buckland and I had really
> different views of the same project!
 
This was exactly how I felt.  It is hard to learn archaeology, while at
the same time trying to understand slavery.
 
>
> Just a final note:  There were many women on the crew, a few older
> returning students, one African-American, and several non-anthropology
> majors.  African-Americans were consulted in the planning and interpretation.
> These seem to be very different eyes than yours!  What exactly is wrong
> with the interpretation?  Have you read the final reports?  I am not
> trying to be defensive--I am genuinely confused as to why you feel
> something was missing from the project.
>
> Kerry
>
Yes, I know that there were.  I would have like to have been able to talk
with those African Americans about the project.  That certainly might
have given me a different perspective.