Had Johnson’s Island been excavated quickly, we would have lost an incredible archive of information about the men confined there. Because the site is not threatened, we have been lucky enough to excavate parts of it in the most ethically and archaeologically responsible fashion. Like all archaeological sites, it represents a rich trove of information that we irreversibly destroy when we excavate it. Speedy excavation does not represent a more efficient approach to archaeology, merely a necessary one. Especially for students, an introduction to archaeology done in this precise fashion provides grounding in how excavation should be done when time allows. When confronted with sites which require more drastic action, it helps them approach the situation with care and precision.

If anything, the world of contract archaeology needs to reevaluate how it approaches site excavations, reporting, and public outreach. Reforming this business requires action from the legislative level down to “the tip of the trowel.” It is up to every participant to ensure that we preserve, study, and interpret our collective past in the most culturally beneficial way possible.

Thanks for your comments. This is a fascinating subject, and one which the field should engage in on a regular basis.