A Vacation You Can Really Dig!
Archaeological Tourism

by Richard Collins

As families look for more stimulating ways to spend their leisure time, various types of eco-tourism have enjoyed increased interest. Archaeological tourism is certainly among these. There are several different types of archaeological tours available to families.

There are general tour companies that include, among their offerings, motor coach or van excursions to archaeological or cultural sites, usually those that are open to the public, such as those in the national monument system. These sites usually have visitors’ centers and interpretive museums. The ruins themselves are restored, stabilized, and have walking paths and other facilities for the visitors’ convenience. They are, for the most part, easily accessible by automobile.

Another type of archeological tour is one that can take the visitor off the beaten path to cultural sites, but without any real professional guidance or instruction. The jeep tours of the desert southwest provide this type of service, which gives the visitor a glimpse of out-of-the-way petroglyphs or other cultural sites.

The real adventure in archaeology, however, is doing it. There is no substitute for the thrill of discovery--of actually touching history and feeling it come alive in your hands. Finding even the most mundane of artifacts, such as a simple stone tool that may have last been held by human hands perhaps a thousand years ago, is an absolutely unparalleled experience.

Some companies offer the public the wonderful opportunity to participate in hands-on field archaeology, under the direction of professionals. To have this remarkable experience it is important to ask questions about the policies of the company. For example, one company offers a very pricey (a few thousand dollars per person per day) opportunity to excavate, under professional direction, and keep whatever artifacts you may find. While this may be quite legal, since the excavation is on private land, it is certainly unethical.

Archaeology is not what you see in the movies. The process begins with a survey, a systematic exploration of an area looking for signs of cultural occupation. If a site is discovered, extensive mapping and recording is required before the first spoonful of dirt is moved. Mapping consists of preparing a site plan, i.e. a scale map of the ruin indicating major cultural features, such as masonry structures, pit houses, or significant artifacts. Also, feature plans are prepared as necessary, showing individual structures. Recording consists of documenting the area and the types of cultural features and artifacts found on the site: pot shards, stone tools, projectile points–all the implements of daily life in the ancient culture. Excavation would be considered only when the mapping and recording has been completed.

Excavation itself is not the way it’s portrayed in the Hollywood movies: instantly unearthing fabulous buried treasures. Certain sections of the site may be designated for excavation and these are delineated with a grid system and dug in levels only a few centimeters deep at a time. All findings must be meticulously recorded before digging any deeper. All excavated material is sifted through mesh screens to find even the most miniscule evidence of human occupation: stone or pottery flakes, seeds, food-animal bones, even fossilized pollen grains (the analysis of which is a discrete discipline: palynology). The provenience (i.e. the exact location of the find) of each and every artifact must be carefully recorded in the now three-dimensional grid and profiles (i.e. plans and photographs of cross-sections in depth) must be prepared. The artifacts must be cleaned, sorted, carefully recorded, and catalogued so that a provenance (i.e. chain of custody) can be maintained. In short, archaeology is an extremely meticulous and painstaking occupation in which the reward (and real treasure) is the accumulated knowledge of our collective human past.

Archaeology is a relatively new discipline, only about 150 years old. As the peripheral science and technology have advanced, so has the approach to field archaeology. Fifty years ago excavation was the ultimate goal of the "dirt" archaeologist. Increasingly today, excavation is the court of last resort, with the realization that excavation permanently disrupts, if not destroys, the site. Much excavation is cognitively and indefinitely postponed, with the idea that less intrusive methods may be developed in the future. And with archaeologists themselves being increasingly reluctant to dig, there is increasing concern regarding the seemingly benign visitation of tourists. For example, the Egyptian government frequently precludes tourist visitation to some of the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. This is not a result of vandalism or whim, but the otherwise innocuous presence of tourists, which alters the micro-climate of the tomb, increasing humidity from the exhalations and perspiration of thousands of people, and ultimately destroying the wall paintings–even though they have never been touched. Mexican authorities have similarly closed off some rooms in Mayan ruins for the same reason. The natural oils and acids in our skin can cause irreparable damage to ancient paintings or petroglyphs simply through gentle touching.

There is such a thing as responsible archaeological tourism, and the responsible companies offering field experience will include some explanation of "site etiquette" in their excursion agendas. This is, essentially, take only memories (or photographs) and leave only footprints.

Another thing to consider before taking your family on an archeological family vacation is whether the trip is appropriate for all age groups. One company reports that they have had guests in an age range from 5-75, and that the 5-year old and his family thoroughly enjoyed the activity. Nevertheless, parents should be aware that very small children (perhaps 6 and younger) might tire easily or have shorter attention spans than their parents.

Weather is another factor to consider when planning an archeological family vacation. Summer (June-August) heat in the Phoenix, Arizona area is typically about 105-115 degrees in the afternoons. Physical exertion in those temperatures can easily result in heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke, especially for those who are not acclimated to that environment. In the same season, temperatures at higher altitudes, e.g. Grand Canyon or Flagstaff, may be 20-25 degrees cooler. If the activity is strenuous or involves a great deal of desert hiking, temperatures become even more significant.

Appropriate clothing is long trousers or jeans (as protection from rocks, cactus, etc.), hiking boots or shoes, a broad-brimmed sun hat, sunscreen, and water bottle. When booking a trip, be sure to ask if the company provides essentials like water, food, and extra sunscreen. It is also a good idea to read a little about the area you will be visiting to familiarize yourself with the cultures from that era.

Archaeology captivates the imaginations of all ages. Once you have found a satisfactory provider, you will have the most educationally stimulating, exciting, and fascinating experience that a family can share together.

Richard Collins has studied history and archaeology as an avocation for over thirty years and has studied archaeological sites on five continents.