- Shovelbum
Shovelbum (from the Old English words "scofl" = shovel/an excavating machine and
American English "Bum" = with no settled residence) is a term used by some archaeologists in theUnited States to refer to the professional excavators onCultural resource management projects. "Shovelbums" is pejorative when used by non-professionals; defiantly proud when used by archaeologists about themselves. It is considered poor form for a professional who has not done time as a "Shovelbum" to use the term in a derogatory fashion, especially in a classroom setting. Unlike aBeach bum , the title "Shovelbum" is conferred only after extensive field/lab work.Thomas F. King , an author of many influential CRM books quotesR. Joe Brandon , the founder of the Shovelbums [cite web
last = Brandon
first = R. Joe
title = Resource for jobs, RFPs, news and gear.
url = http://www.shovelbums.org/
accessdate = 2007-08-19] in Doing Archaeology that "...any archaeologist worth their salt has spent time as a Shovel Bum " [cite book
last = King
first = Thomas
authorlink = Thomas F. King
title = Doing Archaeology: a Cultural Resource Management Perspective.
publisher =Left Coast Press
date = 2005
id = ISBN 1-59874-003-2 ]When an archaeologist can say they spent "X " years "on the road shovelbumming " peers and students alike understand that to mean: when the chips are down, regardless of the circumstances, this individual can produce quality scientific data and reports.
References
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