Indiana Jones: Myth, Reality And 21st Century Archaeology

Two trends in contemporary archaeology will forever change the direction of the field. First, the reduction in pure research funding is forcing the profession out of the academy and into the domain cultural heritage management. Second, development and expansion projects are reducing the pristine landscapes that have been the focus of traditional survey and excavation. We no longer work where we want but apply our skills to where development occurs. What happens when our professional interests run counter to the timelines and financial constraints imposed by developers? Are we witnessing a move towards methodological advancement at the expense of growth and creativity in archaeological theory? Is this a bad development and does it even matter? Can we, or must we, find common ground with development interests? Public relations will assume greater influence as development interests and the heritage preservation ethic form a symbiotic dynamic whose ultimate resolution remains uncertain.