digthisfeature:

This is why we need archaeology; it searches between the lines of history. It discovers people that posterity deemed not worthy of a voice. Sifting through the rubbish of time is as important as arguing about current issues, as they are inexorably linked.

Because the true essence of archaeology and all archaeology is really about is the joy of discovery. The scratched and frozen knuckles, are all worth it for the sheer glee at finding a single piece of ceramic, or a single coin, this is simply because that tiny molecular piece of time in a strand of historic DNA has the potential to re-write entire ideas about entire environments, political and social. Humanity cannot be measured or weighed, but it can be recorded. Archaeology can trace the rise and fall of empires with history you can actually touch and it can lend a weighty punch behind the words of history itself. More importantly, archaeology can ask questions of history and the future, and expect an answer.

Amen. 

Scary time for archaeologists in the U.S. as well.  Hang in there everyone.