I watch a whole lot of archeology shows (yes, I am becoming my parents). Some similarities I have been discovering seems to resonate amongst many of the archeologist. These things I find interesting, if not troubling.
Respect for the Bones
In many an archeological dig, they find bones. Quite often, this is the purpose of the dig itself. If not the purpose, it often becomes the crux of their research going forward.
I understand that the older the bones, the skeleton, the remains the archeologist finds the more interesting in a scientific purpose it will probably be. What is somewhat surprising at times, is the seemingly casual attitude these scientist treat human remains. It seems that that the level of respect is an inverse relationship to the age of the bones. I know that this may be a healthy way of distancing themselves from the fact that they are working with human remains but nonetheless I find in interesting enough to comment.
Reaching Conclusions
The study of archeology is somewhat an interpretive science. The archeologist has to glean a great deal of information base upon where they find something, what is buried or stored with it, the positioning of the artifacts, and past knowledge to develop a story or scenario to fit those facts.
Way, way too often it seem that the individual archeologist exercises flights of fancy. These flights of fancy are compounded by the need or desire to create a “sexy” story. Whether for a television special or a so-called professional paper, they only need to make sure there are no facts in the way of their theory not that their theory is realistic. Often, it seems the archeologist brings their personal perception, agenda, or desire into the decision-making process instead of making an academic decision.
I will use one example to make my case: I saw a TV documentary about a grave that was uncovered in Britain that contained gladiator weapons in it. However, in the grave was a woman’s body. Through the next hour, without much proof and a whole lot of speculation the story they wove was of a whole female gladiator society. This is without a single written account of a single female gladiator event. Now, I know that whole swaths of life during the Roman period are not documented but rest assured, if there had been female gladiators; it would have been documented at least once. To be fair, even though I am using this example as it comes to mind, it is not necessarily the most egregious.
Hamstringing Legitimate Archeology
Have you heard of the Native American Graves Protection and Reparations Act of 1990? Well, briefly, it was an act created to stop the desecration of Native American graves and bodies. It was also designed to compel the return of artifacts and remains to the Native American tribes for proper handling and burial. Good ideal. Darned good idea. Since Europeans came to North America, they have been desecrating and robbing Native American graves and sacred sites. It only got worse when “souvenirs” became more and more valuable; including Native American skeletons. Not to mention the plethora of Native American bodies and artifacts on display and in storage in countless museums and collections throughout the world. Like I said; good idea, darned good idea.
Unexpected consequences. No legitimate archeology. No matter how respectful, no matter how important the science; it is now essentially impossible to do archeology on Native American finds. We do not have to look farther than the Kennewick Man to see this. A skeleton was found on government land that was 8900 to 9000 years old. It showed characteristics that were European in nature; definitely not Native American. Thus, there was and is a great deal of archeological and scientific interest in studying the remains. Not so, say a Native American tribe. They say that because of the NAGPRA and an oral tradition that goes back 10,000 years, they should take custody of the body; with no further study. Because of the rather strange appearance of the skeleton, further study was done before it was finally buried by a coalition of Native American tribes from that area. However, this just points to the fact that legitimate archeology was almost not allowed to happen. There was never any attempt to disrespect the remains; just to scientifically study them. I am totally in favor of NAGPRA but the unexpected consequences of prohibiting scientific study should be corrected.
