As the Spike TV show American Diggers goes international, AAA Executive Board Member, Sandra L. Lopez Varela has a special request in today’s guest blog post.
The American Anthropological Association is supporting the petition of our fellow Spanish archaeologists to stop the airing of “Un Tesoro Bajo Tus Pies”, through Discovery MAX: http://www.change.org/es/peticiones/discovery-max-que-se-retire-el-programa-un-tesoro-bajo-tus-pies
This television series is the translated version into Spanish of “American Diggers”, produced by Spike TV, and that the AAA, along with other professional organizations, strongly opposed to, back in March of this year, as it wrongly represents archaeology as a treasure-seeking adventure. Committed to the scientific stewardship of the past, the AAA has sent letters to the corporate and international management of Discovery Enterprises inviting them to follow up the example given by National Geographic Channel and to initiate a similar dialogue with professional associations and archaeologists to promote an educated depiction of archaeology. But above all, the AAA has expressed its deep concerns about the potential looting and subsequent illegal trade that Discovery Communications are promoting around the world by airing “American Diggers” internationally, through their affiliated sister networks. We invite you to support this initiative and increase the voices expressing that the content of “American Diggers” is contrary to the ethics of archaeological practice.
Sandra L. Lopez Varela, Ph.D., RPA
Archaeology Seat, Executive Board of the American Anthropological Association
Filed under: Anthro in the Media, Association Business | Tagged: AAA President Leith Mullings, American Diggers, Antiquities Act of 1906, Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, Discovery Communications, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, Sandra L. Lopez Varela, Spike TV, UNESCO | 3 Comments »
Archaeologists Rise Up Against “Heavy Metal”
Our contenders in the ring of Diggergate’12 are…
The Play:
Savage’s new reality TV show, American Diggers, travels across the country digging up American treasure. In classic Heavy Metal fashion, Savage attempts to spike piledriver our nation’s history.
Bill Carter, journalist for The New York Times, interviews Gillespie as she speaks on behalf of her fellow members at AAA:
Savage’s Vice President for Development at Spike TV, Sharon Levy, replies with:
While Savage’s sunset flip might be one of his signature moves in wrestling, his unethical profiteering practices are not one for the books.
Read Carter’s article: TV Digs Will Harm Patrimony, Scholars Say
Special Note: *The great phrase DiggerGate’12 was started by our friends at The Wenner-Gren Foundation. Thanks!
Filed under: Anthro in the Media, Commentary, Ethics | Tagged: American Anthropological Association, American Diggers, archaeologists, Diggergate '12, Heavy Metal, Ric Savage, Sharon Levy, Spike TV, Susan Gillespie | 2 Comments »