What challenges do British Columbia archaeologists face?

• Misconceptions regarding archaeology popularized through media outlets such as film and television.

Indiana Jones!

• Difficulty educating the public about the importance of documenting the history of cultures that do not have a written past.
• Resistance of municipal governments to development urban planning that recognizes the importance of recording and preserving the archaeological record.
• The destruction of archaeology sites through natural processes.
• The destruction of urban developments such as buildings, roads, mining, forestry and dams. Heritage Conservation/Site Destruction.
• Deliberate destruction of sites by looters.

   

What are archaeologists doing about these concerns?

• Archaeologists apply and inform others of British Columbia’s strong heritage laws that protect all archaeological sites.
• Archaeologists work with developers, private land owners and conduct independent research to help prevent the unnecessary destruction of sites. Archaeologists are also dedicated to increasing public awareness regarding archaeology and the importance of culture history. They accomplish this through outreach programmes designed to include the general public in the research project; like the SFU Tla’amin Archaeology Field School Project.