[bert]

.....Really, is there something so awful about archaeological research that American money shouldn’t be used?.....

I don’t think so and since I don’t know if the aid was defense related as in building an air force hospital or some such, the point is not to disagree with the effort.

My problem with archeology is trying to create something sensational from very little evidence.

[ottbmare]

I think it’s not unknown for researcher—particularly in fields where there is unlikely to be any sort of real-world financial bonanza like electronics or medicine might offer—to generate interest from sponsors and more funding through promises or sensationalism.