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This chapter delves into the evolving landscape of archaeology, emphasizing the balance between pure research and applied science. It explores innovative projects, such as The Garbage Project, which uses archaeological techniques to analyze urban waste and inform social issues. Additionally, forensic archaeology is highlighted as it assists law enforcement in solving crimes. The chapter advocates for public education and inclusivity by questioning who controls the narrative of history and encouraging diverse perspectives in archaeological practice.
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Chapter 18 Archaeology’s Future
Outline • Archaeological Science: Pure or Applied? • The Garbage Project • Forensic Archaeology • Rediscovering Ancient Technology • Public Education • Who Has the Authority to Study the Past? • Seeking Common Ground
Questions About Our Past • People care about history for different reasons. • We will always face important issues regarding: • What is done with our knowledge of the past. • Who gets to “tell the story.” • Who controls access to data.
Archaeological Science: Pure or Applied? • Anthropology is conventionally perceived as a pure science, as the systematic pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. • But anthropologists have long attempted to apply their findings to practical ends—that is, to do applied science.
Applied Archaeology • Brings the techniques of archaeology to non-traditional venues. • Applies our knowledge of the human past to concrete economic or social problems.
The Garbage Project • Rathje’s Garbage Project began in Tucson, an urban community whose population at the time was slightly over 360,000. • Garbage was picked up from randomly selected households, and a sampling design ensured that different socioeconomic neighborhoods were included.
The Garbage Project • The project has involved hundreds of students and 60 participating organizations, recording more than 2 million items from 15,000 household refuse samples from some 250,000 pounds of garbage. • The Tucson project has operated continually since 1973, and satellite projects have been launched throughout North America.
The Garbage Project: Landfills • The Garbage Project used archaeological methods to explore nine landfills across the United States, recovering about 12 metric tons of debris deposited between 1952 and 1989. • Paper takes up 40 to 50% of the volume in American landfills. • The rest consists of construction debris, metals, plastics, other materials, food and yard waste, and glass.
Forensic Archaeology • Uses established archaeological techniques to assist law enforcement agencies. • Provide training in the recovery analysis of material remains generating firsthand evidence to be presented in courts of law.
Archaeology and Education • Archaeologists have created research and educational programs that create a better understanding of the past with the input of descendant communities’ perspectives. • Such archaeological programs bring people of different backgrounds together and break down social, ethnic, racial, and cultural walls that divide the world.
1. A ___ science isthe systematic pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, while applying findings to practical ends is _____ science.
Answer: pure, applied • A pure science isthe systematic pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, while applying findings to practical ends is applied science.
2. The Garbage Project found that ____ takes up 40 to 50% of the volume in American landfills.
Answer: paper • The Garbage Project found that paper takes up 40 to 50% of the volume in American landfills.
3. _______ _______ uses established archaeological techniques to assist law enforcement agencies.
Answer: Forensic Archaeology • Forensic Archaeology uses established archaeological techniques to assist law enforcement agencies.
