I know the Montana State Department of Corrections issued a written
statement to Montana SHPO regarding the show, stating specifically that
the diggers were excavating without permission on state land and without
an archaeological permit, putting them in severe violation of state
preservation code. I am sure that didn't help. Montana is quite
protective of their heritage, that was bold on the part of the show.
Whether or not there are teeth to the law, it is and will be a PR
calamity for National Geographic if they knowingly participate in
looting (barring early twentieth century goings-on in the southwest). 


Sean M.A. Doyle
Historic Resources Specialist
SWCA Environmental Consultants
Broomfield, CO 80021
Office: 303.487.1183 x1449
Mobile: 720.394.6021

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Michael Bathrick
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 12:17 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: question- is Diggers no more?

Or possibly the fact that it was just plain a poorly conceived and
executed show...

On 3/21/2012 1:41 PM, Jones, Joseph B wrote:
> I haven't seen anything other than that section you've quoted from the
NYT article, but whether or not they've pulled the Diggers show, their
expressed interest in taking the time to coordinate with professional
archaeologists and take their input seriously is a huge positive step,
IMHO. On the other hand, I have to wonder if their real incentive for
pulling the show, either permanently or temporarily, and for expressing
interest in more feedback from the professional community might have
anything to do with the fact that they apparently "unknowingly"
broadcast illegal activity in their premier episode (i.e., metal
detecting and recovery from a NRHP-listed historic site...19th-century
jail...that is currently on state-owned land), and they believe they
might be in some legal hotwater (whether there are actually any "teeth"
to possible enforcement or not).
>
> JBJ
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Miller, Sarah E.
> Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 1:33 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: question- is Diggers no more?
>
> Question- I've seen forwarded a few times today a letter stating
National Geographic Channel will no longer be airing "Diggers."  I have
yet to see an official post from NatGeo (association seems wiped clean
from Google memory), but if true, it's a great day for preservation of
historic sites and just a tremendous demonstration of public involvement
for Historical Archaeology.  If you have official confirmation I can
share with the public, please contact me off post...I have a lot of
local residents&  visitors to thank by way of sharing the good news.
>
> Only source I've seen was the NYTime article on the Spike show, that
NatGeo issued a statement:
>
> The National Geographic Channel, meanwhile, was more measured about
"Diggers," which started on Feb. 28.
> In response to a letter from Elizabeth Bartman, the president of the
Archaeological Institute of America, which accused the show of
encouraging looting and destruction, the cable channel said it had met
with representatives of professional archaeological groups.
>
> "As a result of those conversations," it said in a statement, "we are
now in the process of organizing a more in-depth set of meetings to
explore how we might take more direct advantage of the archaeology
community's insights and expertise with programs of this type."
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/21/arts/television/spikes-american-digg
> er-draws-concern-from-scholars.html?_r=1
>
> Sarah E. Miller
> Director/Public Archaeologist
> Northeast Regional Center
> Florida Public Archaeology Network
>
> Flagler College
> P.O. Box 1027
> 74 King Street
> St. Augustine, FL
> 32085
>
> work:  904-819-6476
> fax: 904-819-6499
>
>
> www.flpublicarchaeology.org
> Follow us on Twitter for latest area updates FPANnortheast Join us on 
> Facebook FPANnortheast
>
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