Bravo!
We wouldn't begin to scratch the surface archaeologically in Kansas if
it were not for our advocational archaeologists and we have a lot of fun
while doing so. Workers routinely
volunteer for our annual field school, for special week-end projects
such as processing flot, for special salvage excavations and year round
in the lab at the Kansas State Historical Society (where volunteers log
more hours in a year than myself, the lab supervisor).
Instead of moaning and groaning can't we do alittle PR and redirect
some attention to the opportunities (sanctioned if you will) that are
out there for the avocational archaeologist? Can we find out more about
the particulars behind the dude ranch's digging for $$?
>>> "William B. Lees, Ph.D." <[log in to unmask]> 5/5/2004 7:39:11 AM
>>>
Since when is archaeology not a fun pastime? Talk to the scads of
avocational archaeologists who populate the excellent volunteer
archaeology
programs in Kansas and Arkansas, in the Passport in Time program, and
with
Earth Watch, etc. and I think you will find that even if we do not find
it
fun anymore, the public does even when they are involved in a serious,
proper, and scientific program. And as far as something that anyone
can do
for a price, it is! Anyone can do archaeology for a price--all the
above
mentioned programs plus many, many others (not to mention the field
schools
that university programs offer, to be sure, for a price) provide anyone
the
ability to do archaeology for a small to very large price tag.
Once again, I would suggest someone contact the dude ranch and find out
just
what they do--the road from a) pot hunting on public land to obtain
artifacts for sale, to b) the best scientific archaeology, is a
continuum
and I would rather see someone in the middle than on the wrong end
entirely.
William B. Lees, Ph.D., RPA
Vice President, Business Development and Special Projects
CULTURAL RESOURCE ANALYSTS, INC.
151 Walton Avenue
Lexington, KY 40508
Voice: (859) 252-4737
Facsimile: (859) 254-3747
Web: http://www.crai-ky.com
email [log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Laura
West
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 7:06 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Archaeology for profit
The advertising does not state whether the archeology is being led by
a
professional, but the wording of the ad odes lead the reader to think
of
archeology as a fun pastime that anyone can do for a price. That
implication
is what offends me while I try to preserve archeological sites from
being
impacted by sewer lines and the like. While it is not alway possible
to
preserve sites or portions of sites for future researchers who may
have
better theoretical models that we do at present, it does behoove us to
at
least present the work we do as that done by professionals with
specific
training and knowledge, don't you think? I realize it is not likely
that the
advertisement would be written by an archeologist, but a few moments
of
consultation would possibly have given the writer a new perspective on
the
importance professionals place on their work.
Just a thought,
Laura West
-----Original Message-----
From: Stapp, Darby C [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2004 4:48 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Archaeology for profit
How do you know this is not being done in concert with professional
archaeologists or a university?
Darby Stapp
-----Original Message-----
From: Jane Brown [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2004 1:58 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Archaeology for profit
Check out the activities at this dude ranch. Some things shouldn't be
legal.
www.southforkriverranch.com/ activities.htm
<http://www.southforkriverranch.com/activities.htm>
Jane
Jane L. Brown
Anthropology/Sociology
101 McKee Building
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC 28723-9646
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Office: MK G-15B
Telephone: 828.227.2444
FAX: 828.227.7061
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