Different But Equal: The Philosophical Foundations of Forensic Archaeology

Abstract

Archaeology and anthropology have a long-standing and often uneasy relationship. Anthropology, as the parent discipline, has provided the theoretical lens through which archaeological interpretation is viewed. However, archaeological methodology is unique and separate. Over the years, archaeology has been known at times to break away from anthropology with separate professional societies, separate university departments, and separate career tracks. Despite this, archaeology remains inextricably connected to anthropology. This chapter will discuss how and why archaeology and anthropology are distinct but complementary disciplines and how they have managed to coexist as such. Within the forensic community, forensic anthropology and archaeology in the United States have not been able yet to achieve this balance. The author will make the case for the philosophical foundations for forensic archaeology as separate from forensic anthropology specifically in the context of burial excavation.