Rethinking Research Sites as Wilderness Activity Series. Reframing Health, Safety, and Wellness in Archaeology

Bibliographic Information

Article Title

Rethinking Research Sites as Wilderness Activity Series. Reframing Health, Safety, and Wellness in Archaeology

Journal Title

Advances in Archaeological Practice

Author(s)

Peixotto, Becca; and Klehm, Carla; and Eifling, Kurt

Year of Publication

2021

Volume Number

9

Issue Number

1

Article Pages

1-9

Web Address (URL)

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/advances-in-archaeological-practice/article/abs/rethinking-research-sites-as-wilderness-activity-sites/3298E68FB7335D01CCAE66E9C065A9B0

Additional Information

Available Through

Cambridge University Press

Language

English

Notes

Field research requires careful preparation so as to protect the integrity of archaeological studies and ensure the health and wellness of our students and field crews. In this special issue, we hope to lay a foundation for securing health and wellness as elements of the ethical practice of archaeology fieldwork through discussions of common hazards and tools to prevent, prepare for, and address safety incidents in the field. Even as archaeology and other field sciences grapple with serious safety concerns such as sexual harassment and mental health, it can be tempting to view field sites as extensions of the classroom or office. But field research can be a high-risk endeavor where we are exposed to a range of hazards not typically encountered in a traditional learning or work environment. We reach across disciplinary boundaries toward outdoor leadership and backcountry medicine to introduce the concept of wilderness context to describe the remote—and not-so-remote—locations and conditions common to archaeology field research. These are places where small or unanticipated problems can quickly become serious incidents. By rethinking research sites as wilderness activity sites, we highlight how methodical preparation can help us craft more robust and ethical health and safety practices for all members of our teams.

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