Protest Spike TV new show 'American Digger'
In the US, there are millions of historical relics buried in backyards just waiting to be discovered and turned into profit. “American Digger” hopes to claim a piece of that pie as the series travels to a different city each week, including Detroit, MI, Brooklyn, NY, Chicago, IL and Jamestown, VA searching for high-value artifacts and relics, some of which have been untouched for centuries.
After pinpointing historical locations such as Civil War and Revolutionary War battlefields, Savage’s first task is to convince reluctant homeowners to let his team dig up their property using state-of-the-art metal detectors and heavy-duty excavation equipment.
The team will then sell any artifacts found for a substantial profit by consulting experts and scouring the antique and collectible markets, but not before negotiating a deal to divide the revenue with the property owners.
http://aroundthenetworks.com/spike-tv-announces-unscripted-show-american-digger/
Society for American Archaeology (SAA) responds
Dear Mr. Kay,
I write to you as the president of the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) to express concern about the new reality television series entitled, “American Digger,” which will premiere on Spike TV March 20. We ask in the strongest possible terms that you take steps to alter the message of the show, which is contrary to the ethics of American archaeological practice, highly destructive, and possibly illegal.
SAA is an international organization that, since its founding in 1934, has been dedicated to the research about and interpretation and protection of the archaeological heritage of the Americas. With nearly 7,000 members, SAA represents professional archaeologists in colleges and universities, museums, government agencies, and the private sector. SAA has members in all 50 states as well as many other nations around the world.
Archaeology is a scientific discipline involving the systematic examination and careful study of evidence relevant to human lives and lifestyles in the past. Members of SAA endeavor to stimulate interest in the past, advocate for the conservation of cultural resources, encourage public access to and appreciation of archaeology, and oppose all looting of sites and the purchase and sale of looted archaeological materials. In contrast to these standards of archaeological research and conduct, “American Digger” presents excavation as treasure hunting. The association of professional archaeology with “treasure hunting” impugns the discipline and the thousands of good scientists associated with it.
The archaeological record is precious. Once a site is dug, excavations completed, and artifacts removed, the site can never reveal the mysteries of the past again. Archaeologists are careful to preserve buried history so that future techniques and approaches can tease more information from the ground. Excavating in the way you suggest, without a plan, with little regard for science, preservation, or future approaches, is unethical and robs our descendants of knowledge.
http://www.saa.org/Portals/0/SAA/new/American%20Digger%20Letter%20-%20Spike%20TV.pdf
1111 14th Street NW, Suite 800 ● Washington DC
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I'd previously realised you're here.
