Regardless of how many may feel about Wes' business (he is an auctioneer in Historic Americana)he was an excellent archaeologist both in the field and in the office. Unlike most in his business he brings an anthropological perspective to what he does.
Bob Genheimer, RPA
George Rieveschl Curator of Archaeology
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45203
513-455-7161 office
513-846-4898 mobile
513-455-7169 fax
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
O'Malley, Nancy
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 9:15 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: query re "History Detectives" TV show
Just for the record, Wes Cowan has a Ph.D in prehistoric archaeology with a specialty in paleobotany from the University of Michigan.
Nancy O'Malley
Assistant Director
William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology and
Office of State Archaeology
1020A Export Street
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky 40506
Ph. 859-257-1944
FAX: 859-323-1968
________________________________________
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Davis, Daniel (KYTC) [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 9:10 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: query re "History Detectives" TV show
Not sure of the background of the other folks on the show, but Wes Cowan was once a practicing archaeologist in Kentucky. He did some interesting work with paleobotanical remains and was an editor, along with Patty Jo Watson, for the "Origins of Agriculture: An International Perspective" book. Like many other people who once actively plied the trade of archaeology, he found the grass to be greener somewhere else.
Daniel B. Davis
Archaeologist Coordinator
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Division of Environmental Analysis
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40622
(502) 564-7250
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rebecca S. Graff
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 9:20 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: query re "History Detectives" TV show
Hi Andy and Histarchers,
With regard to your comments, I want to take a moment to
clarify my point from my earlier email regarding the History
Detectives.
I am aware that there are often competing interests between
academic archaeological projects and "infotainment"-type
television programs. I have been involved with the local and
national media in the past, and am working with a private
documentary group right now. Certainly, these programs do
much to promote archaeology to the general public, and the
relationship between archaeologists and this sort of
educational programming can be mutually beneficial (like Time
Team America).
In this particular instance, I was trying to make sure that
the television producers did not do something illegal, or
inadvertently promote illegal and destructive activity that
would compromise the archaeological materials at the site for
everyone--academics, crm firms, and the interested public alike.
Sincerely,
Rebecca
---- Original message ----
>Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:01:44 -0800
>From: "Andrew W. Hall" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: query re "History Detectives" TV show
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>Rebecca S. Graff wrote:
>
>> This is a very timely email for me, since I was just
>> contacted by a producer with the History Detectives in
>> regard to the site of my dissertation research
>> —Chicago’s Jackson Park. She wanted me to identify
>> some items in their possession—artifacts that two
>> boys dug up from the park in the 1980s—because
>> they are doing a show about the architecture of the
>> 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition (which took place
>> there). . . .
>
>The handful of episodes I've seen have been heavy on
interviews/interpretations/valuations done by private
collectors, appraisers and auctioneers, rather than by people
on the (for lack of a better term) "non-profit" side --
academics, librarians, archivists. Always keep in mind that
they're producing a show that has to attract viewers, and they
will almost invariably go with the source that gives the most
dramatic interpretation/analysis/revelation on camera, whether
or not that person has much in the way of credentials,
academic or otherwise.
>
>> I have not received any further contact from the History
Detectives.
>
>No sh1t. You just told them (correctly) that their
clients/subjects are looters. That messes up their script
something awful. ;-P
>
>Andy Hall
---------------------------
Rebecca S. Graff
PhD Candidate
Department of Anthropology
University of Chicago
1126 East 59th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
[log in to unmask]
Our latest exhibit, GOLD, will take you from the fires of the earth to the rings on our fingers. Come see what it's all about. Also, showing in the OMNIMAX, see Under the Sea. No snorkel or fins required!
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