Archaeological Philosophy

Does anyone know what book Helen is referring too about conserving your finds? I thought that was the title she mentioned but I can’t find anything

Amazing conversation! Would love to hear more philosophical musings and practical considerations. Excellent content, as always.

World Lily

Fascinating thoughts, insights and information expressed in this brilliant commentary between Helen and Tim .

Sarah Holloway

Great thoughts. It takes prosperity to slow things down enough to save history.

Francis Tucker Manns

"Common sense is just not the way humans behave". That is very true sometimes. Interesting to view human nature through the lens of archeology.

I truly enjoyed that. It got me thinking about what does it mean to ‘preserve’? You cannot preserve what you do not know. You cannot destroy what has already been destroyed. What is left and buried is mostly destruction. You do not gain knowledge if you do not open the pages of the book. If you’ve forgotten something (our collective past in these instances), then you must excavate. Open that book. I am amazed that there are listed sites, which are listed because of vague recollections or lore. What purpose does it serve to save something for the future by never knowing what it is, or why it truly may be important? I am no archaeologist, but that is what this conversation got me thinking about.

Jon Colcord

Great stuff, thanks.

Jim Markey

Absorbing discussion. I enjoyed being immersed in the fine details of an archaeological project from different views. Thanks Tim and Helen, and Yannis.

JUDITH COOKE

Nice discussion. How about one on the ethics of archaeology. Maybe a few issues for Time Team wrestles there.

Alan

Yep good stuff thks

Mark Cooke

I'm in a different field, by I agree with Helen that diaries are essential. It would be fascinating to see the site notebooks of past or future Time Team digs. To see the process and not "just" the results is what makes watching Time Team such a fascinating experience.

Lukas Muehlethaler

I was taken with Helens observation that our Roman (and other societies) ancestors were no more prone to using common sense than we are today. To quote a lyric from the late John Prine’s tune “Common Sense,” “That common sense don’t make no sense no more.” (and never has, so beware!😉)

Eggs Ackley

This was a fascinating discussion! Thank you both! More discussions like this would be welcome… I am so glad Helen brought up trees! I think of the great forests that existed when eastern America first began to be settled.

Robert Wise