Definitely running behind on #inktober posts. This one's from a few days ago but I was so pleased with it that I wanted to share it before I forgot. It's also a pretty appropriate theme alongside the current rebrand of Stone Age Monkey into The Archaeologist's Teacup. . I assume that the prompt - "archaeology is a brand" - was inspired by a book of the same name, which I've actually featured in an earlier post. The central message of the book is that archaeologists should embrace the stereotypes associated with archaeology - aka the publically perceived "brand" of archaeology - and use them to share correct information and therefore hopefully mould the brand into something that is more representative of what archaeology really is. . I agree with the author's point to a degree, but there are some stereotypes that to me are just too incorrect to humour, even for a long term benefit. For example, that we study dinosaurs, or that we're like Indiana Jones. Archaeology might also involve the excavation of old bones, but that is where the link with palaeontology ends, as we are focused on researching the human past, which as much as I would wish to believe the Flintstones, doesn't include dinosaurs! And, as much as I love the Indy films, I have never swung from whips while avoiding bullets during fieldwork, and certainly don't want to steal revered artefacts that allegedly "belong in a museum". . In reality, archaeology is an incredibly diverse field. Speak to someone who calls themselves an archaeologist, and they may indeed dig sites at excavations, but they might also do microscopic analysis post-excavation, or do drone surveys pre-excavation, or be specialised in illustrating the finds, or interested in the theory behind the site. The list goes on... . So the next time you're speaking to someone and they say they're an archaeologist, why not impress them and ask what kind of archaeologist they are. (Although be prepared to sit there while they enthuse about their specialisation!) . #archaeology #archaeologist #brand #academicsofinstagram #archaeologylife #prehistory #indianajones #scicomm #drawing #painting #archink #archaeologydrawing #rebrand #prehistoric #dino https://www.instagram.com/p/CVDM9pYKj3q/?utm_medium=tumblr