The Best and the Worst of Archaeology on the Web
By Beth Bollwerk and Matthew Somma
In a time when anyone can publish anything on the Internet, it can be difficult to decipher what is true and fiction. Archaeology in particular has suffered a great deal at the hands of mass media, and is often misrepresented on the World Wide Web. Is it possible to pick out which sites are worth taking seriously and those what should be read just for fun? Below you will find critiques of some of the best and worst sites about archaeology on the web, and some tips on how to figure out which is which on your own.
The Best .... The website for the Society for Historical Archaeology is one of the best archaeological sites on the web. Although this site is maintained by a unidentified webmaster, there is contact information for the webmaster sha_web@mindspring.com and the headquarters of the society hq@sha.org. Furthermore, the officers of this association are clearly represented in the Who We Are page of the site. Many of them are academics, others work in museums, but all have solid credentials. In addition, all have contact information in the form of mail and email addresses. Having checked the authenticity of some of the institutions these people are affiliated with (such as Dr. Judy Bense from the University of West Florida ) it is clear that these individuals are not nameless, vague sources but rather professionals who have a great deal of experience in archaeology and are willing to stand behind the ideas and research presented in this site. Secondly, although the site only pertains to a facet of archaeology, it nonetheless takes the time to explain the goals of historical archaeology (which includes the study of written historical documents that pertain to the site) and the science of archaeology in general. Perhaps the best page of this site is the one that directly deals with the myths pertaining to the science of archaeology as a whole. The section entitled Is the Past Your Future? addresses some of the myths that have perpetuated with archaeology's portrayal in the media. This section cites the research of multiple professional archaeologists including Drs. Dennis Stanford and Douglas Owsley (see them in the National Museum of Nature History's museum directory) from the Smithsonian Institution, in an attempt to relay what archaeological work really consists of. Furthermore, it gives tips on how to prepare for career in archaeology (which is followed up with links to more information that are discussed below). From this page alone it is immediately obvious that the creator's intent is to realistically inform the public about archaeology and ways to get involved in it. In order to achieve this objective the site is set up so that the goals of historical archaeology are clearly defined in the What is Historical Archaeology? and the Careers in Historical Archaeology sections. Then for those who are interested, links are provided for more general knowledge, such as written references, current research in the field, and useful links. An important aspect to note is that all of the research cited is from accredited archaeological journals. Finally, for those who want more in-depth knowledge about how to get involved in historical archaeology, the site provides links about membership to the association and even how to study historical archaeology at the graduate level and as a career. Furthermore, the site shows numerous images of archaeologists in the field and in the lab. Overall it is obvious that this site seeks to accurately inform the public about the research employed in this area of archaeology. The archaeologists represented on this site are professionals with solid credentials who use the science of archaeology responsibly to fulfill the goals of archaeology: discover as much as they can about past cultures. The research reported is based on solid, reasonable facts and does not include outlandish theories about aliens or lost cities. Instead it pertains to the study of artifacts such as pipe bowls and pottery, and how we can use these things to understand past cultures. In addition, to giving good tips about how to get involved in archaeology, the site gives people solid information about archaeology that they can pass along to others. For all these reasons, we would rule it one of the best websites about archaeology on the web. and The Worst.... In surfing the internet, one is able to access many colorful and distinct archaeological representations. While some websites are archaeological accurate and scientifically sound, there are many ridiculous and far-fetched fabrications that exist. Some websites provide insight on UFO’s, Atlantis, and other controversial topics. Nevertheless, we could not help but come across one subject and several websites that epitomized our notion of a terrible, erroneous depiction of archaeology. Apparently, there is a great deal of press on the internet that deals specifically with mystery of Bigfoot. Although we came across some moderate articles consisting of some intellectual validity, we came across one website that completely blew our minds! The website above “North America’s Great Ape: The Sasquatch” contained a decent amount of anatomical evidence and scholarly support from several other "field-experts" (including a picture of the author with Jane Goodall). However, the website sponsored by the Republic of Cascadia houses an almost unbelievable archaeological archive. As some would infer, the “I Want You for the Sasquatch Militia” headline is a mock imitation of Uncle Sam recruiting poster for the United States armed forces. This website appears to be a recruiting instrument for hunters of Bigfoot and seeks to establish a solid militia. In addition, the organization is willing to provide training in areas such as boulder throwing, log swinging, and salmon wielding. The Sasquatch Militia is an organization encouraging enlistment to hunt a mythical creature. The website is a complete farce and flawed in a multitude of ways. According to the website, such an affiliation would be a valuable resume booster and provide applicable skills in the real world. Not surprisingly, none of the terminology offered in the website is actually authentic by any respected dictionary standards. In addition, the website offers no scholarly names, contacts, or advocates of the website. Nevertheless, they do have information available for ordering an exclusive “I Want You for the Sasquatch Militia” poster. What a surprise! The Sasquatch militia recruiting program is an awful representation of modern archaeology. The notion of an organization that seeks, pursues, and hunts Bigfoot is preposterous! Regardless of how ridiculous the idea of a Bigfoot society may sound, there are hundreds of links specifically in reference to such societies. In fact, even the state of Indiana, which houses the University of Notre Dame, has a specific website dedicated to Bigfoot. All in all, we felt that this website was just as inaccurate as it was outrageous. |
The Society for Historical Archaeology's website
at http://www.sha.org is one of the best
sites on the web pertaining to archaeology
Archaeologists as depicted on the Society for Historical
Archaeology website.
 Jane Goodall and John Bindernagel, the author of The Great Sasquatch. The author is trying to make his theories valid by associating himself with a well known and respected anthropologist. However, no where on the site is a written endorsement from Goodall, indicating that his research may not be anthropologically sound... 
Sasquatch Militia Poster |
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