Archaeology And Misconceptions

The topic of archaeology programs in museums and the role that popular culture plays in the public’s misconceptions is not easily covered in a limited timeframe nor a single document. The author considers this thesis a possible introduction to a much larger study. There is always more that can be learned, more comparisons made, and new programs evaluated. With an unlimited timeframe, the ability and funds to travel, and perhaps surveying assistance, more programs and museum educators could be surveyed for comparison. A deeper analysis of the “Anthropologists in the Making” summer camp could also be done, looking at the camp throughout multiple years.

Should the resources be available, the author suggests undertaking an evaluation of archaeology camps and programs in museums across the country. This would provide a wider data set and allow for comparisons to be made. This might also eliminate any possible quirks that are attributed solely to the campers and counselors of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Although there are …show more content…
The persistent presence of archaeology in popular culture continues to be a matter of importance for museum educators interested in offering archaeology programs. Continuous and future research on the presence and impact of misconceptions and the ways in which museum educators can address them is a necessary study, especially as new generations of participants perhaps encounter new and different prevailing misconceptions about archaeology stemming from popular culture. The author hopes that eventually popular culture will represent archaeologists accurately, but until then it may fall to the educators of archaeology programs to address and counteract these