But I think there is more money in it than ever has been. Question is have 
advances in convenience- digital photography, computerized surveying and 
drawing- time savers been put to good use. In any case I would not want to 
go to a doctor practicing at less than state of the art why should 
archeologists making profits all be they never large enough, be able to get 
away with it. Additionally many significant advances in recording and 
analysis do not require massive expenditure.
We have to get beyond shard counts and simple function assignation to be at 
all credible imho.

Conrad Bladey
Peasant
Professional Archeologist

-----Original Message----- 
From: Anna Lunn
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 5:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ethics question

True state-of-the-art equipment and techniques increase a budget 
exponentially, though, in a time when most agencies, firms, universities, 
and other entities are being forced to cut back. I'm thinking of geophysical 
surveys, geochemical analyses, GIS modeling, special analyses such as faunal 
or botanical, and so on...even dating methods can be pricey. Digital photos 
and drawing software have certainly made reports prettier, but the methods 
and techniques that actually contribute something to research questions 
require more time and money to implement than many agencies/firms have.

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 25, 2012, at 1:54 PM, sent <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> One can scarcely find a discipline, any field which does not have to do 
> more at higher levels than in the past- ask a teacher or librarian or 
> doctor. Doing it right to the state of the art is a requirement not an 
> option. Other advances such as digital cameras, surveying equipment, 
> drawing scanning and software have helped make things much easier. By the 
> same token developments have rendered archaic 
> reporting.....archaic.....this situation is intolerable.
>
> Conrad Bladey
> Peasant
> Professional Archeologist
>
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Anna Lunn
> Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 12:14 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: ethics question
>
> I suspect that attitude has developed, though, by firms being asked to cut 
> budgets to a bare minimum. When the governing agencies and clients are 
> strapped for cash, that's naturally going to affect how the work is done 
> and it doesn't usually leave much room for deeper research. It's 
> unfortunate in my opinion, as it severely limits the types of research 
> that are funded in this realm. I always appreciate firms who use their own 
> funds to do additional research on the side and present their findings at 
> conferences, etc. It's not always easy to make that happen.
>
> Anna Lunn
> CRM
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Sep 25, 2012, at 7:41 AM, Bill <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> 1) The single most important ethical concern for archaeologist to today 
>> in CRM is, what kind of firm do you work for, one who strives for 
>> compliance and profit at any cost or one who strives for knowledge and 
>> understanding at a fair price.  Too many firms are more concerned with 
>> cranking out formulaic reports for the almighty dollar, where 90% of the 
>> report is written before they enter the field.  There do not seem to be 
>> serious research question beyond the standard... we will attempt to date 
>> the site, determine what they ate and make an attempt to find out who 
>> lived there. We need more science not just compliance! We need to look at 
>> the big picture, not operate with blinders on at individual sites!
>>
>> 2) I obviously work in CRM and have done so for over 25 years.  I enjoy 
>> the pace and the variety of sites which present themselves.
>>
>> Bill Liebeknecht, MA, RPA
>> Principal Investigator
>> Hunter Research, Inc.
>> Trenton, New Jersey
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ryan 
>> Kennedy
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 2:20 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: ethics question
>>
>> Hello all,
>> As part of an archaeological ethics course I have been asked to observe 
>> and/or participate in an ethical conversation on a listserv, forum, etc. 
>> I thought it could be interesting to poll Histarch with a simple, 
>> two-part question:
>>
>> 1) What do you think is the single most important ethical concern for 
>> archaeologists today?
>>
>> 2) Very briefly, how do you define yourself as an archaeologist? (ie what 
>> sector do you work in, etc.)
>>
>> Your answers will be used only to stimulate discussion in class, and I 
>> won t share any personal or identifying information. Also, please feel 
>> free to shoot me an email off-list if you would be more comfortable doing 
>> so.
>>
>> Thanks in advance to those of you who respond, Ryan