The Controversial Dark Side of Archaeology

Рет қаралды 6,400

Күн бұрын

We’ve learned so much about ancient humans through archaeology over the years but this feels like a good time to talk about whether we should be digging up ancient people and the objects that once supported their livelihoods in the first place. Archaeological digs haven’t always gone down in the most ethical ways. That might be because archaeology really came into its own as an academic discipline in the nineteenth century, right around the same time that modern nation states were emerging. So let’s get into it.
» Subscribe to Seeker+! bit.ly/SeekerPlusSubscribe (then hit the little 🔔 icon and select “all.“)
» Watch more! bit.ly/SeekerPlusPlaylist
» Visit our shop at shop.seeker.com
There are people who think disturbing any human burial site is wrong, even if it’s done respectfully for scientific reasons. Some think it depends on the beliefs or cultures of the group in question. And there are groups actively working to approach archaeology from a decolonial lens acknowledging how colonial domination was a huge piece of early archaeology.
And at the same time, some believe that archaeology will teach modern humans lessons that could really help inform our decisions about the future.
What’s amazing is just how much genetics and new technologies are letting us get more and more precise with our analysis. And the tech just keeps getting better.
#Archaeology #Artifacts #AncientMystery #Seeker #SeekerPlus
Read More:
Decolonization in Archaeological Theory
“Decolonizing approaches in archaeology emerged as a means to counter the dominance of colonial ideologies and improve the accuracy.”
repository.upenn.edu/cgi/view...
Nationalism and Archaeology
“This article reviews the historical relationship between the emergence of modern nation-states and the development of archaeology.”
www.jstor.org/stable/223370
Sask. First Nation announces discovery of 751 unmarked graves near former residential school
Cowessess Chief Cadmus Delorme made the announcement Thursday.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskat...
--
Seeker+ is your home for deep dives, fun facts, rabbit holes, and more. Join host Julian Huguet as he unapologetically nerds out on the oddball history, astounding science and intriguing future around topics that will make you the smartest person at your next trivia night.
--
Seeker empowers the curious to understand the science shaping our world. We tell award-winning stories about the natural forces and groundbreaking innovations that impact our lives, our planet, and our universe.
Follow us on TikTok: tiktok.com/@seeker
Follow us on Instagram: seeker
Follow us on Twitter: seeker

Пікірлер: 33

@cheezy_tater 2 жыл бұрын

Im in the camp that it can be done ethically, and it is important for working to correct biases in historical reporting.

@aprildawnsunshine4326 2 жыл бұрын

I hate the way media often portrays past humans, even as recently as the 19th century, as less intelligent or less evolved than us. The structure and capabilities of our brains haven't changed though, all we've done is found answers to questions. We've accumulated knowledge, but only because they did their part of the research.

@HexerPsy 2 жыл бұрын

Alright so.... Imagine a Dutch slave boat, carrying West Coast African slaves, sunken in front of the South American coast. Who owns the find? I just dont think ownership is always that easy to establish and can shift based on the frame of reference.

@somerandom3247 2 жыл бұрын

How long do you have to wait until grave robbing becomes archaeology?

@KioMilenium 2 жыл бұрын

I’ll be looking forward to the next episode of the series!

@jessiferri2922 2 жыл бұрын

There is an archeological find that is interesting to me, the tomb in Egypt of one of civilization's first medical doctors, recently (a few years ago). It s important to make historic discovery.

@fraliexb 2 жыл бұрын

But Carbon 14 dating is limited to about 50,000 to 60,000 years. Humans have been around much longer than that.

@imboredoffmyass69 2 жыл бұрын

Isn't this the same dark side that told doctors they couldn't dissect human bodies for the better part of all of human history?

@LupusSolitus 2 жыл бұрын

I think your portrayal of the first archeologists as 'tomb raiders' is harsh. Some were, but not all. Most wanted to share what was found and ultimately ensure humanity could learn from what came before. Examples other positives of doing archeology (in any century) include: - uncovering things that local communities didn't know even existed, - helping to preserve items left to decay (or being subject to wanton destruction), - piecing together a larger picture that is not defined by modern boundaries or sensitivities.

@KioMilenium 2 жыл бұрын

The road to hell is paved with good intentions 😖

@CCRUEnthusist 2 ай бұрын

Is it ableism to say those glasses gave me a legitimate jump scare?

@unbeholfenheit 2 жыл бұрын

I hope there will be a broader wave of bringing archaeologist findings back to the regions which they were taken from. There is no just explanation of why in Europe museums would hold and present items stolen from cultures and regions far away from Europe.

@falliblepossiblygullible2920 2 жыл бұрын

It can be ethical if done for good reasons but it must be regulated and more artefacts must be returned if there are people that want them back or accept them. Displaying human remains shouldn't be so easy, it must be heavily regulated

@Cybernaut551 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed, history shows that trying to find gold has destroyed both victims & oppressive regimes.

@Angie_King_Bens_Grandma 2 жыл бұрын

Bad ass is right!

@maurinedoyle9964 2 жыл бұрын

I hate it when graves are dug up

@aasiefpillay 2 жыл бұрын

Such a good topic. I haven't seen anyone speak about this before. Great video

@kingoliever1 2 жыл бұрын

Are comments hidden? Weird nobody written one yet lol also first.

@KingOpenReview 2 жыл бұрын

I think it's just that you're early.

@phylismaddox4880 2 жыл бұрын

Respectful grave robbing is still grave robbing.

@shermanatorosborn9688 2 жыл бұрын

pre Inca writing

@RhizometricReality 2 жыл бұрын

Only thing that matters is what we do for each other. Money is fake and science is a tool for understanding, not to reificate the power of the corporate or state.

@maxmustermann2197 2 жыл бұрын

Science is a tool for oppression, you white cis male!

@maxmustermann2197 2 жыл бұрын

I'm in the camp of completely abolishing archaeology and all controversial fields in science like biological sex theory all together. What worth is there to science if it hurts someones feelings?

@tmm3258 2 жыл бұрын

Doesn’t all science do exactly that though-hurt "some" one’s feelings? Science is not an escape from controversy or confusion. It’s about facing it straight on, asking questions and discovering answers to clear it up for the betterment of humanity.

@maxmustermann2197 2 жыл бұрын

@@tmm3258 Science is a tool for white supremacy oppression. I'd rather have safe spaces than white cis males everywhere "asking questions"

@falliblepossiblygullible2920 2 жыл бұрын

But science also prevents a lot of hurt. For an example, if you have a painful pancreas and then get it surgically removed, doctors have to "harm the body" by cutting into it to stop that part of the body from hurting you more. If we stopped having these controversial fields, people would die in large numbers