archaeologist
Let an agent explain the work of archaeologists, relay methods, specialisms, ethics and careers from archaeological and heritage sources, describe the named roles, advise reporting finds and following heritage laws, and distinguish archaeologists from metal detectorists, palaeontologists, historians and treasure hunters.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain the work of archaeologists, relay methods, specialisms, ethics and careers from archaeological and heritage sources, describe the named roles, advise reporting finds and following heritage laws, and distinguish archaeologists from metal detectorists, palaeontologists, historians and treasure hunters.
A scholar or professional who studies the human past through material remains such as artefacts, structures, landscapes and human remains, using survey, excavation, dating and laboratory analysis, working in academia, museums, heritage agencies and commercial archaeology, with specialisms such as classical archaeology, Christian archaeology and glyptology, the study of engraved gems, and related roles such as the Finds Liaison Officers of the Portable Antiquities Scheme in England and Wales, who record finds by the public; metal detectorists are hobbyists rather than archaeologists, and detecting and digging are regulated by law.
What it is for: Studying the human past through material evidence.
It can be explain methods and specialisms; relay ethics and law; describe named roles; distinguish related occupations.
Distinguishing features
Material evidence
Scientific methods
Heritage ethics
Many specialisms
What it looks like
Often seen in the field with trowels, survey equipment and recording sheets.
Physical character
Portable Antiquities Scheme: started 1997 year - England and Wales
UK Treasure Act: 1996 year
UNESCO Convention on illicit trafficking: 1970 year
How it is recognised
Scholar of the material past
Engraved gem researcher, metal detectorist, Christian archaeologist, glyptologist, classical archaeologist, Finds Liaison Officer
Detectorists are hobbyists; palaeontologists study fossils; historians work mainly with texts; treasure hunters seek valuables
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
practises -
includes -
is contrasted with - hobby
In practice
Families and kinds
academic archaeologists
commercial and contract archaeologists
museum curators
specialists such as classical, Christian and glyptic archaeologists
finds liaison and heritage officers
Standards and regulation
Heritage protection laws and excavation permits
Treasure Act 1996 in England and Wales
UNESCO 1970 Convention
Professional codes such as those of CIfA
Failure modes and hazards
Encouraging unlicensed digging or looting
Treating detectorists as archaeologists
Ignoring descendant community perspectives
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What an archaeologist is.
Definition.
Definition
Definition.
Definition
Definition.
- What is an archaeologist, and how does the role differ from detectorists, palaeontologists, historians and treasure hunters? definition
- Has someone found an object or remains, in which case report it to the local heritage authority, finds officer or police for human remains? boundary
Roles
Named roles.
Roles
Roles.
- What are glyptologists, classical and Christian archaeologists, Finds Liaison Officers and metal detectorists? definition
- Which entry fits the specific role? action
Methods Methods.
Sources.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork.
- How do archaeologists survey and excavate? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Science
Scientific analysis.
Science
Science.
- How are radiocarbon dating, isotopes and ancient DNA used? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Ethics Ethics and law.
Regulation.
Law
Heritage law.
Law
Law.
- What laws govern digging, detecting and reporting finds? provenance
- Which entry fits Portable Antiquities Scheme? action
Repatriation
Repatriation.
Repatriation
Repatriation.
- How are debates over repatriation and human remains handled, with positions attributed? provenance
- Which entry fits NAGPRA? action
Context Careers and history.
Context.
Careers
Careers.
Careers
Careers.
- How do people train and work as archaeologists? provenance
- Which entry fits Chartered Institute for Archaeologists? action
History
History.
History
History.
- How did archaeology develop from antiquarianism? provenance
- Which entry fits antiquarian? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should glyptology be a separate entry?
- How should heritage agency sources be linked?
- How should repatriation debates be presented?