Is archaeology a science

[Dinosaur]

.....bring on the hypotheses......

Aha! So we're not really disagreeing by that much :face-approve:

[Wax]

If archaeology is not really a science is it an Art?:face-stir:

[moreno]

A question was asked “What on earth is a soft science? Biology?” A clarification of a “soft” v hard” science was proffered *shrugs*. It seems that “we” are discussing an issue in a contradiction of terms, i.e. half full v. half empty. We choose to believe that one plus one equals two, for now. Archaeologists may not have a strong grounding in science but rely upon specialists in our discipline or other disciplines we can associate with archaeology to do so on our behalf. Personally I see no issue with this. Does speak to why I do not view archaeology as a science.


An art, hmm, perhaps drawing a harris matrix counts as art?

[P Prentice]

well i am am an artist

i must be because i am poor, misunderstood, prone to drug and alcohol dependency and badly dressed

[Jack]

i dont really care if anybody thinks its a science or not but i will contradict those that use the assumption to peddle facts which are clearly no such thing - bring on the hypotheses and let us stretch the cresdible once in a while

oh and could one of you scientists point out the last time they changed the peoples perception of archaeology?

OH Oh no! I agree with you again.....whats going on. Have I wandered into a parallel universe? Or am I being more reasonable

But seriously yeah, you hit the nail right on the head. Science does not equal fact!

As to changing someones perception of archaeology............I did use the line "hey do you wanna see some dead bodies?" on a girl in a club, then preceded to show her some photos of skellies..........by the look on her face, then, by how the look changed when my girlfriend explained I was an archaeologist........I reckon I changed her perspective on archaeology!

As for other scientists.....how about R. Pope's (and others) poo pooing of certain aspects of the cosmological model for the Iron Age? Or P. Rowley-Conway's article 'through a taphonomical glass darkly'? Or even how about the tobacco and cocaine in Egyptian mummy hair thingy?

[P Prentice]

you carry pictures of skellies when out clubbing?

freek

ps RPope was well on the way to some useful work but P RowCon is a dinosaur

[Jack]

you carry pictures of skellies when out clubbing?

freek

ps RPope was well on the way to some useful work but P RowCon is a dinosaur

Grin - on my phone that is }
Dinosaurs can still teach us youngsters a thing or two - with the exception of our own Dino of course :face-stir:

[Dinosaur]

Anyone watch that particle-physics thing on Beeb2 last night - that was how to do proper science, even one of the scientists on the prog commented on the fact

[Jack]

No but yeah. If your referring to them publishing their results and saying '.........b@ggered if we know whats going on' rather than making up a story about parallel universes or magic light faeries

[P Prentice]

No but yeah. If your referring to them publishing their results and saying '.........b@ggered if we know whats going on' rather than making up a story about parallel universes or magic light faeries

no soul jack