Bull whips.
Tomb raiding.
Shooting at Nazis.
Being shot at by Nazis.
Running from giant boulders.
Eating monkey brains.
There are many things said about archaeologists, much of which is untrue (I will neither confirm nor deny if I or any of my colleagues have eaten monkey brains or similarly interesting delicacies). The popular media has taken great liberties in presenting the field of archaeology to the general public, and this portrayal has been beneficial but also harmful. Countless numbers of individuals (and several archaeologists) have been inspired by these shows, enrolling in anthropology and archaeology classes and programs and ultimately pursuing archaeology careers, but others have chosen different routes in regards to their peaked interests, turning instead to purchasing looted artifacts or becoming the perpetrators of the destruction of archaeological sites and cultural heritage. The following blog posts will specifically explore (1) what archaeology is and is not, (2) the harmful effects of looting, and (3) what you should do if you encounter a potential artifact.
(1) What Archaeology Is & Is Not
Despite popular belief, archaeology is not all about glamorous,
monumental sites that are easily discovered. In fact, archaeologists
can be classified as the professional garbage collectors for past groups
since ultimately what is found through excavation is the discarded
refuse of ancient groups. As archaeology is the branch of archaeology that focuses on the human past, the primary goal is to understand how past peoples lived and adapted to their environments. Archaeologists explore these avenues of research through various means, be it through studying material culture (e.g. pottery and textiles), bones (e.g. human & animal), food stuffs (e.g. plant remains, animal bones, iconography), and more. Archaeologists utilize a variety of avenues of study in order to learn more about past groups based on the specific questions they seek to answer.
Archaeologists use systematic methods in the pursuit of their research goals, starting with the survey of an area. The purpose of the survey is to discover any potential archaeological sites (places of past human occupation and/or manipulation). Surveys have evolved over the years, but traditional walking surveys and newer technologically advanced surveys are readily used depending on the situation and availability of said technology. Archaeologists look for specific pieces of evidence (e.g. artifacts and features-nonportable elements of sites) during the survey to determine if and where exactly a site may be located. Once a potential site has been located, archaeologists will perform a series of test excavations or a specific type of test excavation to determine if the evidence discovered during the survey was accurate, as well as to ascertain more specific information about the site.
Once a site has been discovered and verified, archaeologists begin their excavations. Excavations are slow, tedious processes because everything is potentially and/or can be considered evidence of past occupations. Remember, features are the nonportable elements of sites, so they can be and often are destroyed in the excavation process and cannot be brought back to the lab for further analysis. They are still incredibly important. So archaeological excavations are conducted slowly. Dirt is carefully brushed and scraped away, and artifacts and features are photographed in-situ (in place, the exact location of discovery), possibly illustrated/drawn, and collected (as applicable). Everything is systematically recorded through detailed notes, photographs, drawings, and more. Interpretations are made both in the field and in the lab, and these interpretations are presented at conferences and in various publications as part of the dissemination of knowledge.
Archaeology is NOT clean, the easiest or sexiest job, exciting everyday, full of amazing, earth shattering discoveries, or for everyone. It is the exact opposite of looting when done properly given the steps that must be taken in preserving and recording information and the integrity of the site, whereas looters usually do a smash and grab job. And they horde their finds, make no inferences of them, and furthermore, many actually fake their discoveries in order to turn greater profits. Archaeology is not about monetary profit but intellectual profit instead. Everyone benefits from archaeological investigation due to the knowledge about our collective human past that is gained.
Be sure to stay tuned for parts 2 & 3. Coming soon to a computer near you!
21 comments:
Archaeology could be said as being the CSI of past civilizations but without the assumption that everyone has been murdered. The time frame is what intrigues me in the fact that how long does it usually take? What else is out there?
How long does it take to excavate a site? That really does depend on several factors, including but not limited to what is present at the site, how large it is, how many experienced vs inexperienced archaeologists are present, if any time constraints exist (e.g. site must be excavated within a specific time frame or it will be destroyed), etc. Some sites are excavated in days or weeks, and others are excavated over years.
As for what is out there, plenty, which is why archaeology continues to this day. :)
archaeology is the bases of finding old world civilizations as well as tools and bones so anthropologist can see how they lived and died but major thing they would study is the bones.
I'll reiterate my previous statement about archeology being the CSI of the modern world. However the rewards of knowing that the item you are uncovering could be millions of yrs old is fascinating if not glamorous. You also have to work with the local weather and protect the site from disasters and "grave robbers" . The tedious amount of detail used in excavating the site would get to me i think. Do you ever have archeologists have a mental breakdown due to the task at hand taking forever to complete? Or put in a lack of better words, because they get bored? Not that all archeologists would get bored but the new recruits might be disillusioned with what they are up against if they are not prepared for what to expect
I think it does happen, particularly among novice archaeologists. This is why there are quite a few that leave the profession.
I must admit, possibly because of my age or the pure unknown of most sciences, I personally believed that archaeologists were simply "dinosaur hunters" that looked for bones and studied their history based on their findings. It's interesting to know that it is much more involved and meticulous. Obviously, there is much more desk work than what it known also, which makes me think about what percentage of their work is actually done "in the field". Documentation and report writing must also be a staple of the business, creating the need for career seekers who are just as good at recording their findings, as well as discovering ancient artifacts.
Before taking this class, I honestly didn't know the difference between anthropology and archaeology. I thought they were the same thing, but with different names! This blog post gave me more of an understanding between the two, and gave me more information about archaeology.
I don't think I've ever seen Archeology portrayed correctly in a film. Movies show action where its really mostly digging for months on end hopping to find something intact.
Actually, that's pretty much what archaeology is-digging and being lucky if artifacts are found in tact. Often times, features, such as soil stains or burned areas, are found and provide us a great deal more information than the artifacts. Most movies tend to show archaeologists finding great and awesome artifacts consistently, which if that was the case the field would be a bit more exciting. :)
I agree that everyone benefits from archaeological investigation. The amazing things that have been discovered are due to the curious-driven and determined people known as archaeologists. After completing my hominid assignment I have a greater appreciation for the field since they have recovered so many fossils and artifacts which has ultimately lead us to know more about our Earth's history.
This blog is a great example for comparing and contrasting the meaning behind archaeologist and anthropology. When reading the examples of both it almost felt like you could just see it out in front of you the do's and dont's in each field.
Indiana Jones. :)
I used to go this place off the Elkhorn River in Nebraska that had a digging site-you could find little fossils of fish and stuff; pretty cool. I think, depending on one's own definition, dirty men/women, can be very sexy.
I never realized how messing anthropology could be. before this class I just knew anthropology through tv shows such as Bones.
Jovie Black
As stated before, I never knew anthropology was in TV shows that I've watched. Great post, Now i am going to encourage my uncle to being more merchandise home from when he dumpster dives. ( :
Even though Archeology is not the sexiest and most attractive job ever, how cool would it be to get to tell your friend and/or family about all the awesome artifacts that you and your team discovered recently! When i think of this career, I always think of the archaeologist that dig up dinosaurs bones in the dessert.
--Kimberly Wilbers
Excavating dinosaur remains is actually paleontology, not anthropology.
I like how you didn't deny shooting or being shot at by Nazis. I knew you were just like a action movie star. Is looting really a big problem or does it happen often because I thought it wouldn't be that common because movies are always over exaggerating stuff. Also how often do you go out and do excavations or have you stopped since becoming a professor? -Malachi Brewer
Looting is a serious problem globally, although the violence (against archaeologists) is not a severe in certain parts of the world. I still excavate, although here in Missouri now. If you're interested in joining me I recommend taking my archaeology class in the spring. :)
I have read this and I still think I’m interested in escalating and learning more about different “dumpster diving” techniques to find monumental artifacts . I can’t wait to attend the course in the spring as I plan to get dirty in my findings. Lol
-Jazlyn Logan
This is a very in depth look upon archaeology and its mundane aspects. Its not about the money or about being an action hero. Its about the education and intellectual power this profession holds. Having the power to dig up the past and reveal new attainable knowledge for the world to decipher. Also, to understand the real trials archaeologist is refreshing compared to Hollywood's romanticized vision.
-Chyann Taylor
I discovered that archaeology entails methodical, unhurried digs, close attention to detail when documenting finds, and the sharing of information through publications and conferences. The paragraph also emphasizes how damaging looting is to archeological sites and how important it is to use appropriate excavation techniques in order to learn more about and get a knowledge of our shared human past.-Brooklyn Blair
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