Charles,

When I was working my way through college, one of my jobs was to register
students.  Remember that?  Before computers?  Go to a booth in the gym, find
out all the classes you wanted were filled, then go to the classroom and get
put on a waiting list?  The year before Raiders, anthropology classes
suffered lack of enrollment, and I had no trouble getting my lower division
sections.  After Raiders, classes were filled, and the anthro teachers were
explaining to bright eyed students that the Indy comment about 90% of all
archaeology is done in the library was the truth.  And that Indy was a
criminal and a fairytale and this is why...  Clan of the Cave Bear had a
similar, though not as strong, effect, and it was different in that it
wasn't romantic movie heros, but it sparked a great deal of discussion.

Yes, there is misperception, but that's true of everything, and the good way
of looking at it is "we" the knowledgeable ones, should be grateful "our"
discipline is of such public interest.

I live in California.  The percentage of high school kids who become
involved - after graduation in their careers - in some way with the
entertainment industry is extraordinary, something over the order of 80% if
my faltering memory serves.  Want to impress kids?  Look at the Board on
Archaeology Magazine now and be sure to point out the star name there to
those kids you talk to.

I welcome Time Travelers and similar venues.  I always have something in
common with everyone now, not just the "Really?  You're an archaeologist?  I
wanted to be that when I was a kid!" reaction.  Now it's "I saw this
show..."

Of course mine is not the only solution.  But like you I feel it important
to actually reach out to fix the problem, not just complain and whine.  I'm
glad to see you've got a plan of action.

Susan


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "charles alexander" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 7:36 PM
Subject: Re: Re TT


Yes, I certainly did have the classic teenager attitude, that's why the
analogy works so well, because the attitude is reoccurring generation after
generation.



The sole purpose of my post was to generate discussion on a well-known
misconception the public has about archaeology in general and illicit some
proposed solutions to this ongoing problem. Media such as "Indiana Jones"
and "Time Team" are very appealing to the public, I'm an Indiana Jones Fan
myself, but they really just entertain, they don't portray why archaeology
is relevant and more importantly, why the pubic should come out of their
pockets for it. Archaeological research is to civilization what Biological
research is to disease. This is the message we ought to be teaching. I like
your solution. It's not the only one of course but it is a good start and I
plan to implement a version of it locally. The beauty of a mail list such as
this is that we can all act locally to solve a problem globally.




Charles Alexander





> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:43:09 -0800
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Re TT
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Archys dears, and others complaining here...
>
> Yes, teenagers have an "attitude" but I'd bet you did too when you were a
> teen. I did; I guess, anyway mom says I did, and also she confessed that
> she did. My dad's mom says he did.
>
> The analogy that the public is like a surly know it all teen is quite
> appropriate. But, as a parent, what is the best way to deal with it?
> Preaching? Whining? Yelling? Hiding in a hole? (Preferably with nice
> straight sidewalls?)
>
> I don't think so.
>
> Popular thought on archaeology, as has been discussed to death, is often
> skewed towards romanticism, treasure hunting, dinosaurs, and so on. "We"
as
> archaeologists "know the reality" and like any profession need to use our
> professional training (remember emic and etic?) to see it from "their
eyes"
> and explain it in an understandable way to "them."
>
> All of this thread has just highlighted once again the extreme importance
of
> courtesy, and the dire need to reach out to the public.
>
> Probably one of the best ways to do this is to take a day from your busy
> schedule and offer to go to high schools during career days. Then do it.
> Show up in your field clothes, pick the surliest most hulking kid, and
> criticise their inadequate field garb. Show no mercy for hair styles or
> fingernails. Then plop on your kerchief, hat, gloves, compass, backpack
(be
> sure its heavy and pokes them), and ill fitting dirty shirt, give them a
> rolled up map, make them hold a pick and shovel, and take their picture. I
> guarantee if you do this with gentle humor the class and your victim will
> play along and if you give the photo to said hulk she/he will be seen
later
> displaying it to friends.
>
> And then skewer them with ARPA, pothunting, disgusting critters, vile clay
> soils, crappy weather, and other archaeological realities. Bring some real
> artifacts and let them handle them. Tell them why you have them (they were
> pothunted confiscated and nonprovenienced). And explain that you have a
> crush on Indy, or his cutie girlfriend, or even both if you want a laugh,
> but let them know that's a fairy tale and you are the real Indy or cutie.
> Ask if they've seen Time Traveler or History Detectives and Jurassic Park
> and Clan of the Cave Bear. Explain what's right or wrong with those
> depictions. Pass out Archaeology magazines with strict instructions to be
> careful. Stomp through the classroom. Point out things you notice as they
> rifle through them.
>
> And be sure you give them time to ask questions. Occassionally I've had
> classes that were so stunned they had none. Tell them about your favorite
> artifact or site, or dramatize one of your own field or lab experiences.
>
> Do you know what you have done if you do this?
>
> Educated 30 or more potential voters and their often misinformed teachers.
> Had a break from the damned balky computer. Been a star for a day.
>
> Then go back to playing in the mud and swatting mosquitos and bitching
about
> the weather.
>
> But for gods sake lets quit whining about poor misunderstood us and do
> something constructive about it.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "charles alexander" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 5:20 PM
> Subject: Re: Re TT
>
>
> Have you ever tried to explain something or offer advice to a teenage
child?
> They often look at you like you are from Mars. They figure you don't
> understand what they are going through and couldn't possibly help their
> situation. This is the attitude the general public takes with Archaeology.
> Archaeologists are the minority of teenagers who realize that our
"parents"
> have been through some of the very same things we are now facing. We have
> something to learn about the successes and failures of the people who
lived
> before us in the same way a young adult could learn from his parents.
Human
> behavior is patterned. Archaeology is not a luxury, without it we are all
> doomed to repeat our past mistakes. Isn't there a famous quote describing
> that very thing? Most of what Archaeologists learn becomes buried in an
> archive somewhere or at best, debated within academic circles. The public
> has no idea what we are doing or why we are doing it. I believe
Archaeology
> is capable of helping to solve many of the problems faced in modern
society
> much in the same way we have something to offer our children.
>
>
> Charles Alexander
>
>
>
>
>
> > Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:56:15 +0000
> > From: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re TT
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> >
> > I f there was a referendum on such things most of the people on this
> > list would be out of a job as many in the public see us as
> > over-educated, self satisfied leaches frittering their tax dollars on
> > luxury projects. A touch of populism if it explains anything of why
> > archaeology is important or interesting does no harm especially in the
> > current economic climate. Remember hundreds of sites are currently -this
> > minute- being bulldozed, plowed (American sp?) out or dug with
> > inadequate budgets and resources all over the planet.
> >
> > pc
>
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