Good luck and remember that you are a scientist, not a proselytizer: examples speak more powerfully than sermons.
James G. Gibb
Gibb Archaeological Consulting
2554 Carrollton Road
Annapolis, Maryland USA �� 21403
443.482.9593 (Land) 410.693.3847 (Cell)
www.gibbarchaeology.net � www.porttobacco.blogspot.com
On 06/13/12, Mills, Robin O<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
I would like to thank sincerely all of the folks who took the time to respond to my question both online and privately (16). The thoughts and advise are excellent; I have kept/stored all of the responses for further consideration. After talking this over with my (federal) manager, we are in agreement that I should proceed, but to do so cautiously. Establishment of ground rules is the key.
Best regards to all,
Robin
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David W Babson
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 10:31 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Ethics Question
This post (S. Walter's) is an excellent suggestion in this conundrum of, gradually, squaring the circle between public participation in archaeology and private ownership of "neat" artifacts. I would ad that the whole bottle that, in this situation, is to be released to private ownership should be recorded to the greatest extent of present technical means, before it is "let go." At present, this would include digital photography of the whole object and all diagnostic features, scale drawings, and, perhaps, three-dimensional digital measurement/scanning. All of this data should end up in a digital format that can then be disseminated to and curated at multiple sites, with research and public access. This would be a sort of HABS/HAER process, and recognizes that the artifact (the whole bottle) is, for all archaeological intents and purposes, being destroyed by this "deaccession." Obviously unaddressed by this process is the larger ethical problem, of private ownership, lead
ing to sale, of a valuable object, which then encourages looting of other sites in search of more valuables.
D. Babson.
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Susan Walter
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 11:49 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Ethics Question
I agree the better action would be to go ahead, get involved (cautiously), and teach the correct views.
One thing that I find really catches the public's attention is when archaeologists get all excited over what seems to be "junk." YOU all know what I mean - little sherds, those seemingly insignificant bits of glass, etc. When they get around to dividing it up, see if you can get the diagnostic fragments into an assemblage, and let them know those are more important (to you) than that one whole bottle. Maybe the landowner would allow those items to go to the historical society to become a teaching collection for the local schools.
At any rate, good luck. And, by the way, your sensitivity to this issue is wonderful.
S. Walter
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard W Galloway" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 6:56 PM
Subject: Re: Ethics Question
> Robin, given the recent TV shows that show the Bad side of private
> "archaeologists" I would say that this is a perfect opritunity to teach
> not only those in the group there, but everyone that they will interact
> with down the road, the proper way to do archaeology and how to treat
> the artifacts once they are uncovered. With your guidance this could be
> a great benefit to the archaeology of the area as well as all those
> involved and the people they interact with. Like with most things, there
> is a good common ground between the "high" road and the "low" road where
> all can benefit.
>
> Richard
>
>
>
> On 6/11/2012 6:34 PM, Mills, Robin O wrote:
>> Dear Histarch,
>>
>> I have been approached by a local historic society that is interested in
>> conducting an annual "dig". They want to do a real excavation, and want
>> to save appropriate data from the site, and thus are looking for
>> appropriate guidance on methods and what-not. Now, the site they propose
>> digging is on private land, so the artifacts that are dug up will belong
>> to the landowner. [Although Histarch members may come back with "Not
>> necessarily so..." in their neck of the woods, that is the case here].
>> This sounds all well and good and potentially a win-win situation for all
>> involved, except that the local society is advertising that they want to
>> divide up the artifacts after the dig is over. The landowner keeps what
>> he wants, the local museum would get some, and those people that excavate
>> would get some, too. Mmm.....
>>
>> Now, the dig WILL proceed whether I or anyone else from the
>> archaeological community is involved or not. And, legally, the landowner
>> CAN do what he wants with the artifacts; keep, give away, put in museum,
>> whatever.
>>
>> I think you all see the dilemma: I could take the high horse and not want
>> to be involved because of the ownership issue (i.e., as Dr. Jones so
>> famously said, "It belongs in a museum!"). Or, I can see the potential
>> to salvage information from a controlled dig (they want to put me in
>> charge), and hopefully engage and teach archaeological conservation and
>> morals to all those involved.
>>
>> Part of me says "Run for the hills!". However, I find the latter more
>> appealing, and potentially more rewarding for the resource in the long
>> run, but am interested in what the Histarch community has to say on the
>> matter before making a final decision.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Robin Mills
>> Archaeologist
>> Bureau of Land Management
>> Fairbanks District Office, Alaska
>
> --
> Cordially:
>
> Richard W. Galloway
> Historical Archaeologist
> "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
> Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
> Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
> Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
> Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."
> ~ Calvin Coolidge, 1872-1933, Thirtieth President of the USA
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