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Carl Borden and archaeology in British Columbia : an interactive history

University of British Columbia

Carl Borden has been designated "Grandfather of B.C. archaeology" (Carlson 1979: 233). I present an aspect of his claim to this title by focusing on his important contribution to the efforts made in the 1950's, 60's and early 70's to provide a forum amenable to the pursuit of archaeological research in British Columbia. My thesis is, therefore, primarily a contribution to the literature which addresses itself to understanding Borden's place in the history of archaeology in British Columbia. As such, it will not only interest those archaeologists and anthropologists who knew and worked with Borden, but also a wider audience of Canadian anthropologists and archaeologists who are concerned with understanding the significance of the persons and institutions discussed in "local histories" within the broader framework of the history of Canadian anthropology. In presenting history, I also engage in its creation. My thesis reflects my self^consciousness in producing an account where Borden's point of yiew Cas expressed in the literature and a series of interviews) and my interpretation of his point of view are negotiated. I call this process of negotiation an :interactive history. It is through this process that I discover an important aspect of the significance of Borden to archaeology in British Columbia. Therefore, it is a process which will be of relevance to those anthropologists interested in the social construction of knowledge. Presenting history and being self-conscious about how we discover history are part of a reflexive approach to furthering an understanding of ourselves and our Western Culture. My thesis advances this approach in two ways. First, by applying the anthropological method of fieldwork, traditionally applied to other cultures, to make a statement about an institution - archaeology in British Columbia - which emerges from my own culture. Second, by confronting this statement and making its formulation explicit.

Text

2010-03-16

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/21951

Anthropology

University of British Columbia

Graduate