How not to get fooled by archaeological specials and tv shows.
A book review of Frauds Myths and Mysteries:Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology by Kenneth Feder.
Archaeology. Perhaps no other discipline is as popular with the public and captures its imagination (think Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, etc.) While it is popular, I’ll venture to say no other discipline is as misunderstood, largely because of its popularity. It’s easy for the public to be misled here, bad archaeology is everywhere on TV, Oak Island, Ancient Aliens. Even our beloved Indiana Jones and Lara Croft are terrible examples of archaeology for the public.
So what are people to do? How do people get ‘good’ archaeology? Unfortunately, they have to work for it. It’s like junk food, it’s easy to find and consume, whereas the good stuff takes work. Fortunately for us there are those few brave souls who step into the breach, people who serve in colleges and university’s teaching the next generation of archaeologists, not mention all those people just taking an intro class for an elective, who not only spend their days teaching, reading, writing, researching, DIGGING, but they spend their off time as a skeptical talking head on television, and the volunteer their time on podcasts in order to reach as much of the public as possible to undo some of the damage caused by the junk food of the archaeology world.
Today’s selection, “Frauds,Myths and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology” is written by one of those individuals. A one Kenneth L. Feder. Dr. Feder is a professor of Anthropology at Central Connecticut University, he is the author of several books and a frequent guest and contributor to podcasts like Archy Fantasies, Monstertalk, and In Research of. His frequent contributions to these shows provide a thorough, but down to earth expertise in the topics discussed. However, unless you are ok with the kiddos learning some new words maybe keep them out of ear shot. As topics grow more absurd and Dr. Feder grows more incredulous he would sound more like R2-D2 than a professor if you had to bleep out the swearing.
Make no mistake,to my reading Frauds is meant to be a textbook for an entry level class. It’s focus is on highlighting the science and methods that real archaeologists use to discern the reality and truth behind their discoveries by examining some of the most famous “Frauds Myths and Mysteries” in the history of archaeology. That’s what makes it accessible to the rest of us, for many archaeologists this may be one of the first textbooks they use, with little else in the way of formal training when they read it, just like the rest of us.
Feder outlines definitions of terms, methods and processes that archaeologists use. He does it in a way that is accessible, numerous and not judge mental or condescending to the reader. Once Feder begins examining hoaxes like the Pilt Down and other myths and mysteries he outlines the historical background, how the ideas evolved and came to be, and even what events or errors would have led people to believe these things and describes how the reader themselves can avoid the same pitfalls.
Frauds Myths and Mysteries hits all the high points of the typical misconceptions. Pilt down, who discovered America, Vikings, myths of other early explorers, giants in America, Atlantis, ancient civilizations, ATLANTIS and more. It really is a what’s what and who’s who of archaeological shenanigans. Feder is well read on these subjects, obviously, he’s got a phd in anthropology for Christ's sake. But more important than that, he is sympathetic to the laymen whose imagination is captured by ideas of ancient civilizations, giants, ancient aliens and even cryptids like Bigfoot. He understands why those sorts of ideas are attractive to people. That said, he doesn’t mince words, and he calls a spade a spade. While Feder can be sympathetic to laymen who are attracted to these ideas, he can be less than than kind to those that knowingly perpetuate lies and frauds. As should we all frankly. Honest mistakes and excitement are one thing, outright lies and bad faith actions are another.
Do I recommend this book? Of course I do. It’s a solid read for anyone interested in any of these subjects. If you are a laymen and interested in these subjects, this is a great place to start to get some knowledge on the essentials of how the discipline and science of archaeology work. If you are like me and have training in an adjacent field, this is still a fantastic read. It’s smart, informative, and fun. Highly recommended. You can buy it HERE or wherever you prefer to purchase books.
All of Ken Feder’s books can be found on Amazon, and he recently published a brand new book, Native American Archaeology in the Parks: A Guide to Heritage Sites in our National Parks and Monuments” released earlier this month. I have my copy and will be writing my review soon. If you don’t want to wait you can purchase it HERE or wherever you prefer to purchase books.
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