Class 2 Discussion Worksheet
1. In your archaeological training, what general subjects do you learn?
[Most frequent student answers:
survey
excavation
analysis
study
culture history
publication ]
2. Are archaeologists trained in the following areas?
Stewardship
Long-term preservation of archaeological record
Caretaking of archaeological record
Advocacy for archaeological record
Promote public understanding and support for preservation
Use of cultural resources for public benefit/public trust
[The students agreed that these topics were occasionally mentioned in class but never a major focus]
3. In our personal or professional lives, we are often confronted by
situations that pose moral dilemmas that challenge our basic ethical
values. Can you think of any situations in which a professional archaeologist
is likely to face an ethical dilemma?
[Among the student answers:
- How do archaeologists deal with looted and undocumented artifacts: Should we study them or not?
- Should we dig at all since archaeology is a destructive activity? Maybe we should focus only on other activities or dig only threatened sites? ]