Yes, I feel that it is the professional responsibility of all archaeologists to confront and counteract claims made by pseudo archaeologists. Archaeologists that are experts in their field are equipped with much more knowledge to argue factually against false claims. Specifically, those with expertise in a particular field who understand the archaeological history in great depth should take action against pseudo archaeological claims to ensure authenticity. This knowledge is power and the only way pseudo archaeologist’s claims will successfully be exposed as fake is by the presentation of clear and concise evidence. I feel that is is the duty of the archaeologists because the general public is very susceptible to believing pseudo scientific claims and for the most part lack any ability to test or challenge the ideas themselves. 

It is important is rid the spread of pseudoscientific claims from society because they can be detrimental by supporting racists, anti-archaeological, or anti-scientific views. Letting people believe that aliens built the pyramids because Egyptians were incapable of something so grand and beautiful is just one example of a culture being blatantly insulted and criticized. There are many other cases such as the beautiful mound workings or the nazca lines that pseudo archaeologists have worked to discredit the responsible culture and instead award aliens or a dreamed-of advanced civilization the credit of their construction or idea for their construction. When pseudo archaeological claims, such as the discovery of atlantis, become uncovered to the public, there becomes a form of distrust to archaeologists, especially from those who lack knowledge of the pseudo archaeological field being separate from archaeology itself. This fuels anti-archaeology and can create many issues for the scholarly forms of archaeology. It also adds to the ideas of distrusting the government, scientific industries, and the so-called “man”, because the public is lead to believe these groups in power are working to cover up evidence of aliens, giants, etc., in order to serve some greater hidden agenda. 

To confront pseudo archaeologists, scholarly archaeologists should respond in a professional yet assertive manner. It is important to go straight to the source. Experts should contact the publishers or endorsers of the pseudo claims and explain to them why their “evidence” is incorrect. As in many cases, the pseudo scientist may strongly believe their point of view and become defensive when confronted, so it is suggested that the confrontation does not feel more like an ambush. The pseudo archaeologist should be presented with not only the facts to back up the scholarly point of view, but reasons why the non-scholarly idea is threatening to the public. The true evidence should be presented in a way so that the pseudo archaeologist doesn’t feel forced to take up the new view point, but rather is overwhelmingly convinced and begins to see the missing links in their claims. Then, once the sources of the certain archaeological idea have been countered, the scholarly archaeologist should do damage control. They should make reference to the pseudo claims being spread and present all information that counteracts them so that any individuals who may have already been persuaded by the pseudo claims originally are able to see exactly why the idea is incorrect and ensure the false ideas do not spread any further.