Geoff,
I see no need to apologize, as spirited debate regarding the role of academic
versus contract archaeology has haunted American archaeology for the past
fifty years. In fact, we are now at an odd juxtaposition in which pure
research excavation is declared in some academic quarters to be "unethical"
and that the only "ethical" excavation should be conducted at threatened
sites. I see this as a very poor just of talented minds and a very sad state
of affairs....esepeically for historic archaeology.
Ron May
Legacy 106, Inc.