I kinda like R. Joe's (shovelbums.org) take on the topic:

" If you have at least a BA you deserve fair remuneration, so ask for it,
and in turn you provide your employer with excellent service.   You ARE a
trained professional, NOT a "shovelbum"  - the name is in jest - act
professional, expect to be treated like
      -R. Joe Brandon

All else is commentary.  The professional knows whether to take on
responsibilities according to competence and ability.  I would no more hire
on as PI than I would pilot a space shuttle.  I do consider myself an
archaeologist, even though that may set some teeth on edge.

Robert Marcom,
Brand-new B.S., Anthropology
~and 20 years fieldwork

----- Original Message -----
From: "Carol Serr" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 5:48 PM
Subject: definition of an 'archaeologist' ?


> At 04:36 PM 9/8/2004 -0500, V Noble wrote:
>
>>I'm sure that many trained historians get irked whenever some smalltown
>>librarian is called a "local historian" in the Gazette, and I'm enough of
>>an elitist that I get a twinge in my gut even when someone with a B.A.
>>calls himself an archaeologist, though he may do it every day for a
>>living--
>
> I'll admit my ignorance....just wondered....what 'makes' someone an
> archaeologist?  Only a Ph.D. degree?  or an M.A.? Only being a member of
> RPA?
> A 'lowly' person with only a B.A. and 25+ yrs of experience (in the field
> and lab; report author, etc.) would NOT be one?  Is it defined some where?
>
> I remember in field school (Ozette, WA) back in the 70s...some of us
> attended the international Wet Site Conference being held in Neah Bay, WA
> that year.  When the speaker (at that time) asked "how many of you [in the
> audience] are archaeologists?", the classmate next to me raised her
> hand.  I leaned over and whispered "you aren't an archaeologist"...since I
> consider us merely students...still.  She got bent out of shape with
> me.  (I guess) she considered herself one since she had done archy
> fieldwork. ??
>
> We get "kids" straight out of college with their "shiney" B.A.s in
> anthro...who come to work for us with very little experience, yet my boss
> is gracious enough (but I don't agree with him doing this) to get them
> business cards with the term Archaeologist listed as their title.  I am
> officially an Associate Archaeologist (/Lab Director) on my business
> card...and we have Senior Archys ("above" me).  Some how the term
> 'associate' makes it (me) seem less than an 'archaeologist'....or is it
> just my weird perception. ?
>
> I know many of my relatives think that all these years I've "worked with
> archaeologists"....but I consider myself one....and why shouldn't I?