I think there is room for all types of investigation and exploration. Archaeology would be a dead field (no pun intended) if averages citizens were discouraged from trying to make major finds/discoveries. Indiana Jones has done more for generating a love of archaeology than some dry, minimally attended lecture by other academics debating whether some pottery fragment came from the Bronze Age or other era. I think we need to embrace all attempts and be kind. Rather than turn noses up, maybe the learned could help the less experienced improve their efforts.
I think there is room for all types of investigation and exploration. Archaeology would be a dead field (no pun intended) if averages citizens were discouraged from trying to make major finds/discoveries. Indiana Jones has done more for generating a love of archaeology than some dry, minimally attended lecture by other academics debating whether some pottery fragment came from the Bronze Age or other era. I think we need to embrace all attempts and be kind. Rather than turn noses up, maybe the learned could help the less experienced improve their efforts.