On the other hand, to "mitigate the archaeology" or conduct "data  
mitigation" might imply the archaeology and scientific data have an adverse  IMPACT on 
some other resource that requires mitigation. Both of these terms are  in 
common usage by nationally famous American archaeologists and are evolving to  mean 
"mitigate (the impacts to) archaeology" or "(collect a sample of  scientific) 
data (for) mitigation." I know the evolution of common language can  be 
painful for some, but it is really best not to edit people's casual comments  on 
HISTARCH and focus on the real issues raised in the thread.
 
Ron May
Legacy 106, Inc.