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Rethinking Research Sites as Wilderness Activity Sites

Reframing Health, Safety, and Wellness in Archaeology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 March 2021

Becca Peixotto Open the ORCID record for Becca Peixotto [Opens in a new window] ,
Carla Klehm Open the ORCID record for Carla Klehm [Opens in a new window]  and
Kurt P. Eifling Open the ORCID record for Kurt P. Eifling [Opens in a new window]
Becca Peixotto*
Affiliation:
Center for the Exploration of the Human Journey, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas, TX 75201, USA; Department of Anthropology, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016 USA
Carla Klehm
Affiliation:
Spatial Archaeometry Research Collaborations, Center for Advanced Spatial Studies, University of Arkansas, 227 N. Harmon Avenue, JBHT 304, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Kurt P. Eifling
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Northwest Campus College of Medicine, 1125 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA; Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 111 Colchester Avenue, Main Campus, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
*
(beccapeixotto@gmail.com, corresponding author)
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Abstract

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.

La investigación de campo requiere de una cuidadosa preparación para proteger la integridad de nuestros estudios y asegurar la salud y el bienestar de nuestros estudiantes y equipos de campo. En esta edición especial, esperamos sentar las bases para garantizar la salud y el bienestar en el trabajo de campo arqueológico, a través de discusiones sobre peligros comunes y herramientas para prevenir, preparar y abordar incidentes de seguridad en el campo. Aún cuando la arqueología y otras ciencias de campo luchan contra serios problemas de seguridad, como el acoso sexual y la salud mental, el entender los lugares de campo como extensión del aula o la oficina puede resultar tentador. Sin embargo, la investigación de campo suele ser una empresa arriesgada, ya que estamos expuestos a una variedad de peligros que normalmente no encontramos entre las cuatro paredes de un entorno de aprendizaje o trabajo tradicionales. Aquí, atravesamos los límites interdisciplinarios para llegar al liderazgo al aire libre, la medicina rural y presentar el concepto del contexto silvestre para describir las ubicaciones y condiciones remotas y no tan remotas, tan comunes en la investigación de campo arqueológica, donde los problemas pequeños o imprevistos pueden convertirse súbitamente en incidentes graves. Al repensar los lugares de investigación como sitios destinados a actividades en la naturaleza, resaltamos cómo la preparación metódica puede ayudarnos a trabajar hacia prácticas de salud y seguridad más sólidas y éticas para todos los integrantes de nuestros equipos.

Keywords

fieldworkwellnesshealth and safetywilderness contextemergency responseoutdoor leadershipincident responsetrabajo de campobienestarsalud y la securidadcontexto silvestrerespuesta de emrgencialiderazgo al aire librepreparación metódica
Type
Article
Information
Advances in Archaeological Practice , Volume 9 , Special Issue 1: Health and Wellness in Archaeology: Improving Readiness and Response , February 2021 , pp. 1 - 9
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for American Archaeology.

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