Beneath the Ivory Tower ― The Archaeology of Academia

Archaeologists generally leave the university in order to excavate exotic ancient sites. In this volume it is the university itself that is being uncovered. Skowronek (history and anthropology, University of Texas-Pan American) and Lewis (anthropology, Michigan State University) present reports on excavations at colleges and universities situated in many parts of the United States. These digs served several purposes. The first was to investigate artifacts from the early years of the institution. The work also served to involve current students and townspeople in the history of the school. Finally, they allowed passers-by to see and sometimes participate in, the work of the archaeologist, far different from that shown in films. The book is divided into three sections, bracketed by articles by the editors. The first asks what sorts of remnants are left behind by literate societies. The second hunts for clues as to life on the campus. (It is not surprising that shards of a wine bottle turn up at Harvard.) The final part looks at the role archaeology can play on campus and in the community as a means of self-definition. All articles are accompanied by brief histories of the schools, diagrams of the digs and photographs. The book is fun for those connected with the schools mentioned and serves as an example of how academic disciplines can be made relevant to the rest of the university and to the community. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)