Week 2

So I have finally downloaded SketchUp and and trying to make some designs. I have the basics down so far, but I am having trouble figuring out how to create arcs. I'm sure I'll get it after a bit more practice!

After finishing the reading for this first week, I found many similarities among the articles. To start with, the first three articles captured the many cultural views/cliches surrounding archeologists. I found myself nodding my head at the stereotypes surrounding the nutty professor and Indiana Jones versions of archaeologists. Even now, when asked to picture an archaeologist, I still envision a man in khakis and a wide-brimmed hat. There is also an interesting contradiction that pops up between Holtorf and Russell's articels. Holtorf claims that archaeology is perceived well by popular culture while Russell points out that many archaeologists are thought to do "evil" things (such as playing with ancient forces that they don't understand).

However, I found the last two articles to be the most interesting of the bunch. Membury acknowledges the very few female characters shown in film centered on archaeology. I really had never thought of this before, but the more I try to think of examples the more I agree with this statement. Also, Hal discusses the fact that social change with respect to women in society has a positive correlation with archaeology seen in film. That caused me to wonder whether or not there is also a rise in female archeologists in the real world to positively correlate with the acceptance of women in other scientific fields. I am in the process of researching this and will hopefully find out soon. More to come...