Question for All Arrowheadologists

[tomclark]

Those archies are suckering you guys. Well, not the good ones.....
Florida gets NOTHING. No cooperation since they threw collectors under the bus in this state. And it's coming to your state. Give 'em squat!

[KPT]

Part of the new educated cast system regurgitated by most of Americas elite college professors. If you pick something up off of the ground you are invading their private reserve which includes the whole world. They feel that curiosity is reserved for only those with credentials.

[CDEAN]

According to an archeologist in my town, 99% of arrowheads offered for sale are fake, and it's wrong to buy them. I pointed him to a reputable artifact dealer, and he still said the pieces were fake without even seeing them. He also didn't seem very knowledgeable on bannerstones, and said most bannerstones are illegally acquired grave goods.

I realize not ALL archaeologists are like that, but many are and it's very bad for our hobby.

[marksimerson]

I have met a couple...not impressed. Legends in their own minds! But met a anthropologist who is a collector and he is a heck of a guy! I love to talk rocks and he talked me under the table!

[mootsman]

I worked under the supervision of an archaeologist to try and salvage a burial mound that looters were using post hole diggers and other equipment on scattering human remains in the process. I had reported the situation and was credited for my efforts in subsequent publications. It was a positive experience. I also worked with archaeologists when I sat on the board of trustees of a museum. This was also positive.
Two years ago I coordinated a cemetery discovery/restoration project that resulted in a Today Show segment. During this process I worked with a consulting archaeologist.

I may be the odd man out here but I've had good experiences with archies over a 35 year period.

And archaoelogists post and contribute their experiences and knowledge to Arrowheadology.

[Mud Hawk]

I am aware of a few on Arrowheadology and have to wonder what kind of impression we set as hobbyists. If I was an Archeologist and read this thread, I would be pretty insulted.

[Fluff effect]

You know Tom has a good point. As much as ID like to be involved or more with local Archaeologists using Caution isnt a bad idea.

[uniface]

It's the same with people in any line of work, probably.

On one hand, there's the training, information base and experience that qualifies archaeologists to BE archaeologists (as opposed to potholing vandals).
It's a wide field, and the likelihood is high that it doesn't specifically include familiarity with what was going on in somebody's back yard during the time that the artifacts somebody's finding were made. That's why physicians, lawyers and engineers specialise in specific niches.

On the other hand, there's the human nature business that tempts people to set themselves up as Big Deals because they know something (even, because they have money enough to buy things and show off with them). Sure there are arrogant douchewagons in professional archaeology. But I can tell you from experience that there are big fish in small ponds avocationals (some of whom have made truly valuable contributions) who get just as insufferably obnoxious whenever somebody challenges their home-made "expertise." Vanity is not restricted to any place, time or pursuit, and people shutting down discussions with their egos is no new thing in the world.

There are more than enough ambulance-chasing weasels and robbers who use fountain pens instead of six-shooters to give the whole legal profession a bad name (google "lawyer jokes" some time). But using that as an excuse to condemn them all is another matter. Maybe it feels good at the moment, but so does peeing your pants.

[Fluff effect]

Alot of reading here. I aint the sharpest point in the quiver but wont be registering any sites anytime soon.
No Offense

[Mud Hawk]

LMAO at the pee reference... I feel there is alot of truth to the broadness of artifacts as well as a hobbyists "back yard" knowledge.

Funny this topic came up. I will be able to share my own experience tonight, confirm and/or debunk a few things, and hopefully be able to share (if I am permitted) some amazing photographs as well. I have a new friend who is giving me a personal tour of the department at a local College. I would say that is an extremely kind gesture right there...