“We do not follow maps to buried treasure and X never, ever marks the spot.”
Once again we can thank Dr. Jones for that very clever and precise, explanation. Archeology is not an exact science and even though movies and literature have made it seem as simple as following a map. Let me assure they’ve got it wrong.
The proper definition, from our friends in wikipedia, goes something like this:
Archaeology, or archeology (from Greek ἀρχαιολογία, archaiologia – ἀρχαῖος, arkhaīos, "ancient"; and -λογία, -logiā, "-logy"), is the study of past human societies, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data which they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes.
And yes they have it pretty much figured out but I know the feeling, definitions like that make it sound boring and old. However there’s much more than meets the eyes.
Archeology is an art. It’s the way that present societies imagine and create worlds long gone. History is our canvas and anthropology, sociology and physiology are our brushes and colors.
Every archeologist has to write a Genesis every time they find a piece. The beginning has to be put down presenting they glorious creation of such piece. Why, what, how, when, where are few of the questions to write the interpretation. Once the Genesis is completed the archeologist is faced with the tough decision to destroy what he so beautifully has crafted. Apocalypse rains down on the creation and the archeologist has to explain or imagine why that piece was destroyed and ended.
It’s also the struggle of humans trying to figure out their past. Every time a piece is found the essence of the time and place lives once again. The glory and splendor are brought back to life, even though it’s only in that archeologist’s mind.
Archeology is my way of figuring out who I am and who we, as a collective community, are. It’s my way of explaining everything present and future.
Because to know our past is a way to find hope for our future.
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