In this chapter the author used some really difficult math to describe how the Makers struck and restruck various flint tools at a site that he dug. The whole thing came down to they made tools and they resharpened them and some were left handed.
:') What he's actually saying is, that just digging up a bunch of artifacts isn't (by itself) archaeology. But that is the only way evidence is uncovered. Going to the library doesn't work without the digging first. Bass' point should be, there's too much specialization (actually compartmentalization). Had there not been, Bass would himself have been familiar with the various kinds of wrecks he might encounter. Of course the Cape Gelidonya wreck is from quite a while back...