Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish poet, writer, and playwright who was fascinated by archaeology--but knew what it was good for: art, just like everything else.
I can understand archaeology being attacked on the ground of its excessive realism, but to attack it as pedantic seems to be very much beside the mark. However, to attack it for any reason is foolish; one might just as well speak disrespectfully of the equator.
For archaeology, being a science, is neither good nor bad, but a fact simply. Its value depends entirely on how it is used, and only an artist can use it. We look to the archaeologist for the materials, to the artist for the method.
Indeed archaeology is only really delightful when transfused into some form of art.
Source
Oscar Wilde, in "The Truth of Masks", Intentions (1891) page 216 in The Works of Oscar Wilde. by Oscar Wilde, Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly Published by Lamb, 1909
