Expert: John J. Shea - 3/2/2005

Question
I am a student of Archaeology studying in Cornwall, England im thinking about doing a project comparing archaeology with paranormal science. As far as i can see these are the main branches of science for answering questions that really matter today, do you think they can relate to when another and be used in conjunction?
Thankyou for any help you can give,
Robert Simm

Answer
Dear Robert
This isn't really my speciality, but I think two references that could assist you are
Stephen William's Fantastic Archaeology - this is a survey of "fringe" archaeology in North America. Prof. Williams was one of my instructors at grad school and his course on this subject was a perennial crowd-pleaser.
Ken Feder -Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology.  This is a new (2005) book and it ranges more broadly over New and Old World subjects.  Of the two, Feder is probably most useful from the standpoint of scientific vs. non-scientific method and theory.
You might also look up the Skeptical Inquirer magazine and/or their website.  Archaeology attracts "fringe" scientists like a magnet draws iron filings, and the Skeptic Society regularly reviews popular books on such subjects.
Sounds like an interesting project.  Good luck with it.