Doing Archaeology

Thomas F. King is one of the leading consultants in cultural resources management in the United States. He teaches dozens of workshops each year on this topic and is author of five major books in the field including Cultural Resource Laws and Practice (2004). Former staff member of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, he has been in the heritage management business for four decades.

"King's approach involves giving basic information without a great deal of jargon, allowing the reader to gain some information about a topic without being overwhelmed. His approach to describing this important part of modern archaeology is very straightforward, giving real life examples from various situations and individuals... This technique of using real examples is very helpful and informative to someone who might be considering entering the field. CRM is as much about running a business as it is about doing archaeology, a point King brings home time after time. I would use King's book as a supplementary text in [a CRM] course because it is very readable and down-to-earth." -Dean H. Knight, Canadian Journal of Archaeology "King makes an excellent effort to educate the beginning student and layperson about the role archaeologists play within the CRM arena. His decision to concentrate this book on CRM works for two reasons. First, it puts to rest the misconception that archaeologists have to travel to some faraway exotic land in order to 'do archaeology' by explaining to readers that most archaeologists practice their profession locally. Second, this book should make readers aware of certain cultural resource issues and policies and perhaps influence their behavior toward such issues in the future. This book should be made available to all beginning students, amateur archaeologists, and all others who have ever asked an archaeologist about finding dinosaur bones." -James D. Brinkley, Historical Archaeology "This very readable introduction-part textbook, part memoir-would be invaluable to students, professionals in environmental compliance, tribes, and anyone who wants to understand the process of 'doing archaeology' in the rough and tumble world of CRM... King is always honest, imaginative, and controversial. Readers of his previous books will recognize the straightforward style and conversational tone that make King's work such a pleasure to read." -Adrian Praetzellis, Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology "Doing Archaeology is an excellent introduction to what the career of an archaeologist working in the cultural resource management field in the United States is like, in a clear, conversational, understandable, personal voice." -Kris Hirst, Archaeology.About.com // "This is truly a fine book, one you should insure is found under the Christmas tree of anyone of your acquaintence who is an archeologist, a wannbee archeologist, or simply interested in archeology for whatever reason. And don't forget yourself." -Charles R. McGimsey III, Arkansas Archaeological Newsletter// "[King] is able to simplify subject matter about a range of topics, from the intellectual and methological evolution of the archaeological field ot its unstated or understated deficiencies, controversies, and hypocrises. This is well suited to his intended audience of college students in introductory anthropology classes, and the public in general." -N.T. Richards, CHOICE Magazine // King's Doing Archaeology is a timely book that addresses a cultural resources management perspective previously marginalized in publications on archaeolgy due to a biased focus on purely scientific approaches. All in all, Doing Archaeology should be commended for bringing out the significance of CRM in archaeological practice. Its emphasis that CRM is largely about trying to preserve, not to stop, progress is also an important point." -Susan Keitumetse, Archaeologic

• chapterOne What's This All About?; chapterTwo Why Do Archaeology?; chapterThree Principles and Practice; chapterFour What's It Like? The Practice of Archaeological Research; chapterFive Archaeology in Cultural Resource Management; chapterSix Who Does What? Archaeological Roles in Cultural Resource Management and Beyond; chapterSeven Key Issues in Cultural Resource Management Archaeology; chapterEight Conclusion: A View from My Backyard;