Has anyone tried contacting these folks? Or what about the Society's
chairman and CEO, John Fahey? B. Fontana
National Geographic Channel US
Dara Klatt
(202) 912-6720
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National Geographic Channel US
Erin Griffin
(202) 912-6632
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----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 5:01 PM
Subject: Another opinion on "Diggers" Shows
>
> Another opinion on "diggers" shows from Ann Early, Arkansas State
> Archaeologist.
> I also watched both shows. Yuck.
> One item I noticed was that the protagonists made significant note
> that some of their loot was going to Museums; one associated with the
> Montana prison and another set in downtown Charleston. There was film
> of a representative of the latter identifying and buying some of the
> loot from the plantation adventure.
> These institutions may be museums in name only, but this act, like
> the 'disclaimer' at the end of the program advising others to know
> about relevant laws (not to respect them, mind, just to be aware of
> them) give another whif of legitimacy to the silliness.
> I checked, and the 'museum' behavior in both episodes violates the
> code of ethics of the American Association of Museums respecting
> collections activities. Two points seem relevant, promoting public
> good instead of individual gain, and "acquisition, disposal, and
> loan activities are conducted in a manner that respects the
> protection and preservation of natural and cultural resources and
> discourages illicit trade in such materials". The two museums shown
> in these episodes might not give a flip, but maybe the AAM does.
> So, museums potentially get a black eye here, and museum directors
> may find more metal detector folks on their doorstep asking for cash.
> That would extend to VIC in State Parks, and NPS facilities here in
> Arkansas too, if past experience is any guide.
> If the AAM doesn't know about this program, seems to me they ought to
> be informed. It wouldn't hurt having the museum world involved in
> responses to this and the other two (now) programs.
> And, just briefly, my thought about 'Scavengers' is to have a talk
> with people at the National Trust. Looting old buildings is not
> something the Trust would encourage, and since there are two Trust
> advisors in each state, usually associated with state level historic
> preservation advocacy groups, that is another national level
> organization with local affiliates that could speak about its
> concerns here too.
> The broader any alliance that archeologists might be able to muster
> outside our own discipline, the more effective any of our activities
> might
> be.
> Ann Early
> Arkansas State Archaeologist
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