nightarchaeology

/ˌnaɪtˌɑːkiˈɒlədʒi/nounVerified New

Also in: Nachtarchäologie (Deutsch) · nochequeología (Español) · nuitarchéologie (Français)

The careful excavation of a half-remembered dream, conducted over coffee, with the tools of ordinary conversation.

Nightarchaeology proceeds by stratum: first the mood, then the setting, then — if the dig is lucky — a face. The practitioner brushes gently, because the artifact crumbles under direct questioning, and publishes findings that begin with "I think there was a boat, or maybe a bus."

Etym. — night + archaeology — the discipline the dreamer practices without a degree; long, specific, and the juxtaposition is not a standing phrase.

Rel. — dreamfossil · wakeerosion · pillowarchive

Novelty check: APPROVE

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