Essay - Reconsidering the Curation Crisis in American Archaeology the Archaeologist Plays...

Reconsidering the Curation Crisis In American Archaeology

The archaeologist plays an important part in our society as someone who opens doors to the past so that we may better understand our ancestry, our own *****, and even the nature of ***** world. By excavat*****g artifacts from the *****, the archaeologist is able to shed light on many historical questi*****s, ***** with the marvels ***** modern science, analysis of everything from bones to dirt can provide priceless data. However, there is a lot more to the archaeological process than just the exciting excavation itself, and while the glory of digging and d*****covery are popularized by universities and the media, some ***** the most important work is done behind the scenes in laboratories, storage facilities, and data entry rooms. In order to consider ***** importance of the beh*****d-the-scenes ***** of curation, imagine a scenario in which ***** work was not being done properly, if at all. Perhaps a researcher would like ***** reexamine art*****acts he or she had seen in the past because new tools and technology are now available to analyze *****formation from them that was unobtainable in the *****; however, upon returning to the storage facility in ***** *****y are kept, the researcher is told ***** the artifacts have been m*****placed. Or perhaps the artifacts ***** be found, ***** ***** box in which they are be*****g stored has ***** infested with rats or insects, or water damage has destroyed the artifacts. (Childs) Considering ***** millions of dollars spent on the excavation process, it would be ridiculous for such carelessness to exist during ***** curation ***** ***** ***** simply allow ***** artifacts to disappear or disintegrate. *****, despite the importance of careful ***** to the field ***** archaeology, ********** exists a curation crisis in America.

Entire collections of artifacts across the country are simply vanishing or being hidden away so deeply that ********** are forgotten about completely, ***** to mention being stored in substandard conditions that do not preserve them for posterity. Items ***** as soil samples and bits of charcoal offer a wealth of in*****mation, however because they ***** not have any commercial value on the antiquities market, *****y are treated ***** if they ***** in fact worthless. Unfortunately, ***** sites are becom*****g more r*****, and as the availability ***** new artifacts lessens, it becomes even more important to care for ***** artifacts that have already been unearthed ***** continue having them ***** for further research. ("A Curation Crisis") The San Diego Archeological Center defines curation as the *****, management, and use of archeological collections. "Care means that you pr*****t deterioration, management means that collections are organized and accessible, and ***** means ***** you use collections ***** scientific research, public education or cultural use." (San *****) Curation is a matter of respect f***** the cultures ***** which ***** have been obtained, as well ***** ***** for the educational ***** of these artifacts for today ***** tomorrow, not to mention respect for the amount ***** ***** and money that has *****