Michael, Margo,

Why not wally rite the interpretive book (or make the film, TV series,
multimedia web site, museum exhibit, etc, FIRST. Then, if there is any
money left over, write the fat tech report than no more than a handful
of other members of the annoited brethren of archaeologists might
actually read. If we could just disabuse ourselves of the notion that we
are "scientists" who record and analyze precious "data" rather than
wizards and poets and storytellers who interpret the past, perhaps we
could actually get on with some useful (and interesting) interpreting!
Just a thought....

dan


Michael Strutt wrote:
>
>
>
> Archaeological Institute of America wrote:
>
> > If only every phase three excavation came with the obligation and
> > the FUNDING to publish a anciliary book, brochure, video, etc. for
> > the public, it would be harder
> > for people to claim that publically funded archaeology did not
> > benefit the
> > people who paid for it.
> >
>
> This is where publicly funded archeology is failing. Public access to
> the sites and information SHOULD be a part of every compliance
> contract. If all we do is write exceedingly dry and boring reports for
> each other - so what? As has been pointed out hundreds of times on
> this list many of those reports sit on shelves collecting dust and
> never get read. The way reporting is done currently does not give the
> public anything. Site tours after excavations are completed and
> promotional handouts should be standard fare. If that practice were to
> be the norm imagine what kind of public support we as a profession
> would have in the halls of government.
> --
> Michael Strutt
> Staff Archeologist
> Center for Historic Preservation
> Middle Tennessee State University
> .........................................................
> "Work is the curse of the drinking classes" - Oscar Wilde
>


--
Dan Mouer
http://saturn.vcu.edu/~dmouer/homepage.htm