5 ms·

> most archaeologists are in favor of making them even stronger. Most archaelogists are public employees or employed by institutions dependent on public funds

> most archaeologists are in favor of making them even stronger. Most archaelogists are public employees or employed by institutions dependent on public funds. This makes them more inclined to state intervention than the average citizen. Their paychecks literally depend on it. > As a former archaeologist, we really don't care about random contextless artifacts. Collectors do still value random artifacts, but a collection is much more valuable in context. A company that found such a site and could exploit it would be wise to hire archaeologists to improve the value of their property. You can sell the Crown Jewels for more than you can sell the individual jewels.

AlotOfReading 5y ago
In most western countries (especially the US and UK where I have experience), there is a thriving private archaeology industry. Perhaps that's not true in your country, but it's a pretty unfair dismissal regardless.
- unpopulropnions 5y ago
  I wrote "Most archaelogists", not all. Among the professionals, is that untrue or less than fair? If archaeology is predominantly a private industry I do need to update my priors.
  - AlotOfReading 5y ago
    Yes, the largest sector by far is private. There aren't many publicly funded jobs (annually it's measured in low 3 digits) and the competition for them is fierce. Either way, the ethics are similar. I don't intend to be dismissive in saying this, but the arguments that you're making are wildly off-base about the underlying subject. Moreover, archaeology for the sole purpose of increasing commercial value violates strong ethical norms.
- lupire 5y ago
  Lara Croft?
  - AlotOfReading 5y ago
    Sadly much more boring. It's mostly the result of heritage laws that require archaeological experts to be involved in construction/development projects under certain conditions. We're usually involved as private contractors either in looking for things before/during construction or rescuing found sites.

AlotOfReading 5y ago

In most western countries (especially the US and UK where I have experience), there is a thriving private archaeology industry. Perhaps that's not true in your country, but it's a pretty unfair dismissal regardless.

unpopulropnions 5y ago
I wrote "Most archaelogists", not all. Among the professionals, is that untrue or less than fair? If archaeology is predominantly a private industry I do need to update my priors.
- AlotOfReading 5y ago
  Yes, the largest sector by far is private. There aren't many publicly funded jobs (annually it's measured in low 3 digits) and the competition for them is fierce. Either way, the ethics are similar. I don't intend to be dismissive in saying this, but the arguments that you're making are wildly off-base about the underlying subject. Moreover, archaeology for the sole purpose of increasing commercial value violates strong ethical norms.
lupire 5y ago
Lara Croft?
- AlotOfReading 5y ago
  Sadly much more boring. It's mostly the result of heritage laws that require archaeological experts to be involved in construction/development projects under certain conditions. We're usually involved as private contractors either in looking for things before/during construction or rescuing found sites.