Shovelbum

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Shovelbum (from the Old English words scofl = shovel/an excavating machine and American English Bum = with no settled residence) is a term used by some archaeologists in the United States to refer to the professional excavators on Cultural resource management projects. "Shovelbums" is pejorative when used by non-professionals; defiantly proud when used by archaeologists about themselves. It is considered poor form for a professional who has not done time as a "Shovelbum" to use the term in a derogatory fashion, especially in a classroom setting. Unlike a Beach bum, the title "Shovelbum" is conferred only after extensive field/lab work. Thomas F. King, an author of many influential CRM books quotes R. Joe Brandon, the founder of the Shovelbums ^[1] in Doing Archaeology that "...any archaeologist worth their salt has spent time as a Shovel Bum " ^[2]

When an archaeologist can say they spent X years "on the road shovelbumming " peers and students alike understand that to mean: when the chips are down, regardless of the circumstances, this individual can produce quality scientific data and reports.

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