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+--- Thread: Objectivity in archaeology (/showthread.php?tid=1089)
Objectivity in archaeology - Dirty Dave Lincoln - 25th August 2008
Actually, I was thinking about the POs who interprate sites before investigation and then determine how much they can right off as "natural" and therefore ignore whatever pre-historic phasing there might be.:face-confused:
Objectivity in archaeology - BAJR Host - 25th August 2008
OUCh... thats the object of sites now is it not?
"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers
Objectivity in archaeology - trowelmonkey - 25th August 2008
Pre-interpretation goes on at every level and it's amazing how little one sees once one has already decided what it is, be it an individual feature or a whole site. Just look at the way features are sculpted, oops I mean cleaned" to look more like they're supposed to before being photographed or the amount of selective planning that goes on. The archives are jammed full of illogical features. As to "natural," I think very few archaeologists are well qualified to simply write things off as natural, which happens all too often. For example, colluvium and alluvium are both "natural" and can accummulate very quickly and cover entire phases, albeit not vey deeply. None of that however bothers me even a fraction as much as those PM's and PO's who only see their favourite phase and only grudgingly admit any other phasing.
Objectivity in archaeology - BAJR Host - 25th August 2008
pretty accurate concept that TM wonder if it should be taught in Uni... the Art of Archaeology - make your feature more featurey
"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers
Objectivity in archaeology - troll - 5th April 2009
Apologies for resurrecting an older thread here but the comments above have wet me whistle. First- I like Gorillas analogy with the legal system but take issue with one point in particular. "Expert witness" or otherwise, evidence presented in most cases where expert witnesses are required by the CPS is given in a Crown Court and therefore by default, in the precense of a jury, the media and in most cases-an open court where members of the public have the right to attend. The expert witness should (in an ideal world) present evidence gleaned from accepted levels of investigative practises. It is then for the jury to weigh everything they hear. Whilst arguably, an expert witness should be a paragon of objectivity, a jury will by default be both objective and subjective in their deliberations.
In the world of archaeology, we are often guilty of providing "just so" stories through basic and oversimplistic narratives derived from minimalist field techniques. This is regularly cited as being the direct result of competitive tendering coupled (crippled?) by PPG16 that has more holes in it than a stringy vest. If indeed archaeology suddenly woke to find that our conclusions had to be tested by law within a court system- our house of cards would fall apart as the great majority of cases would be dropped by the CPS before even getting to court. Those that did reach the dock, would probably be thrown out by the jury before their kettle had boiled.
Complacency and the vissisitudes (appalling spelling) of competitive archaeology has led to a profession that carries out and accepts the minimum. Subjectivity is rampant. A superb example of subjective nonsense can be seen on the BAJR thread archaeology in the news where an Italian archaeologist breaks into the realms of pure fantasy unfettered by the norms of good practise.
On the Thornbourough Henges issue the case is clear- leave it alone and preserve it from development. I have seen the "objectivity" of the ex-County Mounty involved with that little fiasco first hand and if anyone should be torn to shreds by a competent barrister it is him. The difference between archaeology and the legal system? We are not held to account and made to stand before the jury of the public.
..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)
Objectivity in archaeology - vulpes - 6th April 2009
Ahhhh... the usual subjective unfocussed diatribe I've come to expect from my objective assessment of your previous posts Troll. Your comments regarding the former County Archaeologist of North Yorks sail a little close to the wind... but that's just my opinion.
Objectivity in archaeology - BAJR Host - 6th April 2009
ah the usual one line critic.. I've come to expect from my objective assessment of your previous posts vulpes
Its what keeps people coming back...:face-stir:
"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."
Niccolo Machiavelli
Objectivity in archaeology - vulpes - 6th April 2009
Why waste words BAJR? [:o)]
Objectivity in archaeology - troll - 6th April 2009
Greetings Vulpes and thank you for your response. Advancement and change requires challenge and an element of confrontation. If "sailing close to the wind" is required then so be it. To shy away from constructive criticism within a profession would induce stagnation and allow for the continuence of bad practise. To that end, I have made formal representations to the appropriate authorities regarding a series of decisions made by the gentleman in question and copied those representations to a highly respected and high profile archaeologist. I have in the past been challenged on this forum (and elsewhere) to either put up or shut up and so I have done just that.Twice. If you feel that my recent post is sailing close to the wind, you would love my letter to the appropriate authorities
My "diatribe" is based upon real-time experience in front line archaeology and my opinions are not about to change simply to conform to a perceived code of good manners or indeed, atwisted interpretation of libel law. I continue to post within the requirements of the AUP and should I step outside of them, I will abide by the direction of the forum moderators.:face-approve:..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)
Objectivity in archaeology - kevin wooldridge - 6th April 2009
I would like to join in this discussion cos I think that both Troll and Vulpes have in the past twanged nerves that needed twanging.
One of the great unwrittens in UK archaeology is the committment of individuals to the 'cause'- Unfortunately this rarely gets acknowledged. Mainly I guess cos the guilty tend to write the history. But before this goes too far, I do think you two guys should recognise that more unites you than separates you....:face-confused:
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...