Archaeology Channel update Film festival finding fans as it digs archaeology out of the academic pit

In the past, The Archaeology Channel film festival was a bit of a mystery - a festival named after a channel that didn't come in on your TV set.

And just what is an archaeology film? Why would we want to watch a bunch of scientists dig holes and sift through dirt?

This wasn't about boring audiences with academia, festival director Richard Pettigrew patiently explained. This wasn't archaeology with a capitol "A." This was entertainment.