Obviously, not everyone can identify all objects. In fact, a great many
artifacts go unidentified or misidentified. The fact that I, an
archaeologist, cannot identify most of the lumps of Iron I excavate, does
not mean I can't interpret the archaeological record. If I think that the
bits of rusty stuff will help me interpret the site, I will consult with
a specialist who can ID them. It is all a matter of scale. Training is
involved, but each individual does not and cannot have knowledge of all
aspects of a field of study--history or archaeology.  Do all historians
require a detailed knowledge of the price fluctuationas of tobacco in
17th and 18th century Virginia in order to say something meaningful about
Virginian history in those time periods?  I don't think so....
 
Anyway, people without training may not come up with sophistocated
interpretations, but they do often point out point out flaws in reasoning
and weak arguments that we "trained professionals" make.
 
Mary Ellin D'Agostino
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