Archaeology Month 2023 - Q&A with Dave Brown

Dave Brown, Credit unknown, sent by Dave.

What is your job title and responsibilities?

I am the Co-Director of the not-for-profit Fairfield Foundation and Co-Owner of DATA Investigations LLC, a cultural resource management firm, both based in Gloucester, Virginia. I also teach history and historic preservation at The College of William & Mary. While I used to dig very square holes in the ground and find trash from long ago, I now co-lead a team of public archaeologists and work with communities across eastern Virginia to promote the preservation of our cultural resources.

What does archaeology mean to you? Briefly describe it in your own terms.

Archaeology is a fantastic way to connect with the past, understand people who lived before us, and build empathy for those around us by sharing this process of discovery with the public. It's also cool to find old stuff.

Why did you decide to join the field of archaeology?

As a kid I fell in love with studying people, putting together puzzles, and reading about history. As an adult, I found a wonderful group of people who were all archaeologists and they helped teach me how to become a better human being.

What would you say is your biggest professional accomplishment or the biggest professional challenge you've faced?

I'm most proud of the work our organization has done to empower local communities, helping them reclaim history and share it with others. We've been honored to help lead excavations and outreach at Werowocomoco, preserve the Fairfield Plantation archaeological site, and restore the c. 1930 Edge Hill Service Station.

What words of wisdom would you like to share with the next generations of professionals seeking to work in your field?

Be kind. Never settle for how things used to be (don't be afraid to change). Do it for the people.

Fun Question: What has been your coolest find since starting this field?

The coolest object? a near-complete 18th-century silver candlestick found in a one-foot-diameter hole in the ground cutting through an old farm road in a nondescript agricultural field in Richmond County. That'll never happen again.