Hi Everybody,
We had a fun weekend. Dr. Laura Scheiber from the University of Indiana, and Dr. Judson Finley from Northwest Community College (soon to be from the University of Memphis), brought their field school to the ranch, and we had a chance to walk around and talk about the archaeological resources, as well as about writing fiction based on archaeological information. We’ve worked as professional archaeologists for 36 years now, so it’s always especially enjoyable for us to be around students. Their interests, after all, are the heart of the discipline, and chart its future.
One of the rarities in scientific education today is the understanding that art has a place. We’re grateful that Dr. Scheiber teaches a course called, “Archaeology through Fiction.” We started writing novels twenty-three years ago because we believed that allowing readers to see through the eyes of prehistoric peoples could educate at the same time that it created an emotional tie to archaeology itself. Archaeology is about people. When our readers visit Moundville, Alabama, we want them to see it through the eyes of Two Petals and Old White (from People of the Thunder) as a living, bustling community–not as quiet piles of dirt filled with stones, bones, and pot sherds. We genuinely believe that prehistoric peoples have a good deal to teach modern peoples.
We’d like to say a special thanks to Aaron and Eric for helping to flip burgers–you guys were great–and to Matt for stunning us with his question: “Is archaeological fiction the culmination of Post-Processualism?” We’re still ruminating on that one, Matt. And we’d like to send our best wishes to Maureen who is working on archaeological poetry, and may write a novel. Please, let us know if we can help. Also, Katie, the Nostrum Springs site is yours to dig if you want it.
Laura and Judson, it’s always a delight to spend time with you and your field schools. We’re already looking forward to the next one.
Mike and Kathy
—
5 thoughts on “Archaeological Field School Here…”
June 3, 2009 at 1:42 pm
My…my…“Archaeology through Fiction.” If you are a purest you may not agree with this concept but prefer to keep archaeology within the maze of higher learning safe from the lower classes or you may want to engage those less learned through fiction based on and laced with science. As for myself, if it wasn’t for fiction all I would know about archaeology is those guys wear shorts with knee socks and pith helmets, belong to clubs and bore most folks that are not in the club. It is difficult for me to think that the fun-loving, cowboying, motorcycle riding, bison chasing, grand storytellers that can make the hair stand up on my arms have a secret life where they put on their knee socks and go to the club to drink tea – just how much fiction should I believe? Have a fun day, Bill
June 4, 2009 at 7:18 am
Thanks Mike and Kathy for hosting us! We had a fabulous time at Red Canyon Ranch and can’t wait to return with the crew next year! We returned to field camp and everyone got the chance to write their own fictional narrative about tipi rings. To be fair, my semester class is prehistory through fiction more than archaeology through fiction. Hollywood keeps us well-entertained by representing archaeologists in fictional settings. I think I’ll stick with broadening our interpretive abilities to understand people in the past by assigning fiction in my archaeology classes. You give us so many great examples!
June 7, 2009 at 8:12 am
Mike and Kathy, thanks for everything! I’m about halfway through “The Summoning God,” and I’m dying to know what happens next.
Of course I want the Nostrum Spings site! A site that brings together historical archaeology, the West, and indigenous studies is exactly what I have been looking for and thought that I would never find.
As for “North American Prehistory Through Fiction,” I was lucky enough to take Dr. Scheiber’s class this past semester. In my opinion, reading fiction that is written using archaeological data and ethnographic analogy is a great way to learn about the past and about archaeology. This class was also a great way for undergraduates and graduates alike to receive training in archaeological ethics and writing skills as well as in broadening our interpretive horizons. As the Gears say, archaeologists need to realize that we are nothing without the public, and one of our main ethical responsibilities is public outreach. We are never going to reach the public with dry technical reports.
We also have a class called “Archaeology and the Movies” that addresses some of the concerns raised by the way Hollywood depicts archaeology and archaeologists.
June 11, 2009 at 3:33 pm
hey mike and kathy great to hear you are continuing to inspire young archeologists with your knowledge and skills. Have a question actually if thats ok i am re-reading people of the raven and wondered what ever happened with the kennewick man case and was it ever resolved, and was much information gathered by the british archeologists in south america, i found this particular story amazing and fascinating and just wondered about what happened, thanks guys maree.
September 2, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Excellent site, keep up the good work