<HTML>Worth another mention: J. R. Cole's paper `Cult Archaeology and Unscientific Method and Theory' (<i>Advances in Archaeological Method and Theory</i>, Vol. 3, pp. 1-33) provides a near-perfect commentary:<blockquote>A fifth cult archaeology theme is an ambivalent antielitism: vilification of the Establishment coupled with an inordinate respect and envy for it. Scientism pervades cult archaeology, and Big Name approval and endorsement is pursued fervently. Arguments are won by citing endorsements as much as evidence - something is an effective argument because an authority has said it is, not because of empirical criteria subject to test. Majority opinion in science is berated, yet votes are hailed as proof. The voters in this kind of contest may not even know they are voting, because a refusal to denounce may be interpreted as a ringing support or a noncommital comment taken out of context and trumpeted as an endorsement. . .</blockquote></HTML>
