Is Digging Straight Walls and Playing in Tune What It’s All About?

Abstract

In this article a professional musician who has participated in archaeological fieldwork considers what justifies one to lay claim to the title “archaeologist” or, for that matter, “musician” by examining the various relationships one can have with either discipline. The role of part time laborers, enthusiasts and pseudo-scientific interpreters will be discussed as well as to what degree professionalism, and thereby the title of “archaeologist” or “musician”, is dependent upon earning an income.