I think Mark's comments are really funny, but I am not an archeologist, I
just manage historic archeological projects for a state historical society.

Neal Hitch

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lyle E. Browning [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:38 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Is this true?
>
> Well, speaking for myself only, and with the
> bias of having known Mark since the late
> 1970's and having read the posts, here are my
> observations and recommendation:
>
> On short posts of less than 2 or so sentences
> where he shoots from the lip, it can
> sometimes be very slightly annoying, but
> those are in the majority. Who amongst us
> hasn't occasionally put out something for
> public discussion that later we wished we'd
> not? It happens, move on.
>
> On long posts, I've read them in their
> entirety and I have always found them to be
> thoughtful and articulate. I may not agree
> with some of the comments, but I'm an
> archaeologist following the truism that where
> 10 archaeologists are gathered, there are at
> least 11 opinions.
>
> Archaeology is many things and when I was
> working where Mark now works, and doing part
> of what he does along with a humongous list
> of other tasks, it was really apparent that I
> was not a typical archaeologist, I was more
> of an administrator. It was also very clear
> that I could have far more of a beneficial
> effect on the profession in that capacity
> than by dealing with one survey or site at a
> time and by plugging along in the normal
> fashion. Johnson said something to the effect
> that nothing so much focusses the mind as
> knowing on the morrow one will hang. Well,
> nothing so much focusses the archaeological
> mind on synthesis as having to deal with an
> entire state's worth of road archaeology and
> having to expend limited funds on the sites
> which would produce the most bang for the
> buck. I always figured that if I had half of
> the engineering brigade at VDOT and half of
> the SHPO office bent out of shape, I was
> probably doing it right.
>
> My advice is this: ignore the nasty comments,
> they're part of the background noise and keep
> your eyes on the goal. Above all, do not
> sign-off as I for one value your input.
>
> Lyle