21st November 2008, 03:53 PM
I would actually say that pre ce... there is no such thing as .. "an archaeologist" it being a generic name for a person who may carry out the pursuit of archaeology in different ways...
So you can be an Archaeological Surveyor or an Archaeological Illustrator OR an Archaeological Field Supervisor OR an Archaeological Manager etc ... only by by being one or more of these (and having proven ability) can you be an Archaeologist.
It's a bit like calling an engineer... I am an "Engineer" I say proudly.... build that bridge i am told... er... well, what I mean is I am a train mechanic... ... or a "Doctor" is that a GP or an Obstetrician or GEriatric or.... etc
And going back to Archaeologist... becasue you are being inclusive (which is good) although I would define the person who carries it out as a hobby as an Archaeological Amateur (though that does make it sound like you are not as good!) as opposed to an Archaeological Professional where is the line drawn... is it at 5pm... do I stop being an archaeologist? OR if I am an amatuer .. and find something... am I an archaeologist ? or only when I am on a site or lab or library? or recording a building
surely we are defined by what we do within the discipline, what we do and how we prove we can do it to a recognised standard?
"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers
So you can be an Archaeological Surveyor or an Archaeological Illustrator OR an Archaeological Field Supervisor OR an Archaeological Manager etc ... only by by being one or more of these (and having proven ability) can you be an Archaeologist.
It's a bit like calling an engineer... I am an "Engineer" I say proudly.... build that bridge i am told... er... well, what I mean is I am a train mechanic... ... or a "Doctor" is that a GP or an Obstetrician or GEriatric or.... etc
And going back to Archaeologist... becasue you are being inclusive (which is good) although I would define the person who carries it out as a hobby as an Archaeological Amateur (though that does make it sound like you are not as good!) as opposed to an Archaeological Professional where is the line drawn... is it at 5pm... do I stop being an archaeologist? OR if I am an amatuer .. and find something... am I an archaeologist ? or only when I am on a site or lab or library? or recording a building
surely we are defined by what we do within the discipline, what we do and how we prove we can do it to a recognised standard?
"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers