FINALLY a new and actually witty archaeological pun ARTIFACTUAL INTELLIGENCE

On most days, the job of the state’s archaeologist is anything but riveting.

Dennis Griffin spends the bulk of his daylight hours sorting through permit applications to ensure that developments don’t disturb sensitive historical grounds. He does some research, looks for signs of historic or prehistoric stuff in the vicinity and then signs off.

Yawn.

But a few weeks ago Griffin’s job became just about the most interesting vocation in Oregon, especially if you’ve got any affinity for all things ancient. Phone calls started pouring into the State Historical Preservation Office about strange things that were “washing up” on Oregon beaches — things that, as it turned out, had been there for decades, waiting to be rediscovered by harsh winters that munch beaches and anemic summers that fail to replace that sand.