Case Study

This entry is in reference to the case study that we did in class.


Our case study was about a man named Dr Charles who had been working in west Africa for years. He was an archaeology who was also very involved the community. The community began to depend on him for employment, funds, and education. Moreover, they wished for his help in building up tourism. Unfortunately, Dr Charles wanted to move onto different sites around the world in order to compare his findings from the site in west Africa. Also, political tension had been developing and poor infrastructure, like roads, was compromising his research.

I suppose the ethical question here is what is an appropriate role for an archaeologist to play in the community?
If an archaeologist chooses to include the community in his research, how much should the community be involved? What are the obligations of the archaeologist towards the community and vice versa? Should the community depend on the archaeologist the way they have depended on Dr Charles?

Dr Charles had been working in west Africa for years, thus he may have also become a part of the community. He is a member who is providing education of this particular towns cultural heritage. His research as provided employment for a (I'm assuming) poor region. Evidence of a poor economic situation is shown in the fact that this town has poor roads. And because Dr Charles has played such a significant role in helping this community learn about their past, does he have an obligation to not only continue teaching but also help in creating a tourist spot?

Creating a tourist spot does not require a site. It also requires good infrastructure, which this town does not have. Moreover, if Dr Charles were to stay and help this community, he would have to step outside of his role as an archaeologist.

The case study does provide a question: How does one leave the community? Dr Charles may have a close and personal connection with this town and its people. He wants to move on to study comparable sites, but he is torn. If he stays, he can help build the community, however if he leaves he is jeopardizing knowledge and even jeopardizing any further knowledge of this west African site. In order for him to fully understand his research in this region, he must travel outwards to compare and contrast his findings. But how does he do this knowing that this community relies so heavily upon him for employment and education? Or does Dr Charles' academic interests trump the needs and wants of the community that allowed him to work there for several years?

I would have to say, even know this is not ideal, that Dr Charles should either stay in the community and help it grow or allow grad students to work there in order to keep employment and education alive within the community. I only say this because Dr Charles made the choice to not only include the community but to also be a part of it.