Sarah Kurnick: "Aliens built the pyramids" and other absurdities of pseudo-archaeology | TED

TL;DR

In this content, the author discusses the prevalence and harmful impacts of pseudoarchaeology, urging for a more inclusive and accessible approach to archaeology.

Transcript

Transcriber: A few years ago, a stranger sitting next to me on a plane, asked what I did for a living. I told him that I'm an archeologist and I study the ancient Maya. He said, "Wow, I love archeology," and told me how excited he gets when hearing about new finds. Then he told me how amazing it is that aliens from the planet Nibiru had come to Ea... Read More

Key Insights

• 👽 Pseudoarcheology is prevalent in popular culture through TV shows, movies, and books like "Ancient Aliens" and "Chariots of the Gods?" It often makes wild and unfounded claims about the human past, perpetuating myths and unfounded theories.
• 💔 Pseudoarcheology is not just harmless entertainment, but rather it perpetuates racism and xenophobia. It often implies that non-European cultures needed outside help to achieve incredible feats, while European cultures are portrayed as superior and independent.
• 🌍 Pseudoarcheology devalues the achievements of indigenous people, such as the Maya, and harms all of us by exacerbating inequality and preventing appreciation of human diversity.
• 🧩 Pseudoarcheology is just one aspect of a larger problem of intentionally distorting historical and archeological facts. This is often done to justify racism or present a more favorable version of history.
• 🏛️ Public monuments and history curricula are political, and what we choose to remember or forget is directly tied to current political concerns. It is crucial to consider who presents the past and whose perspective is included in these narratives.
• 🌟 Archeology needs to become more inclusive and work with descendants of the people they study. Richard Leventhal's approach of involving contemporary Maya in archeological research is groundbreaking and helps shift the focus to important yet overlooked aspects of history.
• 📚 Making archeology more accessible is essential to combat pseudoarcheology. It is the responsibility of archeologists to find new ways to share their work with the public, moving away from sensationalism and promoting scientific facts and historical context.
• 🔍 We all have a role in changing how we think about the past. It is important to be skeptical of pseudoarcheological claims and to understand that our choices in consuming and sharing such content can inadvertently contribute to racism and xenophobia. Every statement about the past is a reflection of our present.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is pseudoarcheology?

Pseudoarcheology refers to the practice of making wild and unproven claims about the human past, such as aliens building the pyramids or survivors from Atlantis inventing hieroglyphic writing. It is often found in TV shows, movies, and books that present these unfounded claims as facts.

Q: How does pseudoarcheology influence our culture?

Pseudoarcheology, like other forms of entertainment, influences our culture in real ways. It sustains myths of white supremacy by suggesting that non-Europeans needed outside guidance to accomplish great feats, while Europeans did not. This perpetuates offensive and racist ideas, undermining the achievements of non-European cultures and contributing to inequality.

Q: What harm does pseudoarcheology cause?

Pseudoarcheology harms both its subjects, often Indigenous people like the Maya, and its viewers. It discredits the cultural achievements of non-European ancestors and promotes xenophobia. It exacerbates inequality and prevents us from appreciating and benefiting from human diversity.

Q: Why do people engage in pseudoarcheology?

Pseudoarcheology often stems from intentional manipulation of historical facts. It is used either to justify racism in the present or to present a more pleasant version of history that promotes nationalism or exceptionalism. By distorting history, certain groups seek to maintain power and control the narrative.

Q: How can archeologists combat pseudoarcheology?

Archeologists can combat pseudoarcheology by taking two key actions. Firstly, they need to make their discipline more inclusive by working with and for the descendants of the people they study. Secondly, they should make archeology more accessible to the public. By sharing their work through engaging platforms and dispelling the need for wild claims, archeologists can combat the influence of pseudoarcheology.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Pseudoarchaeology, which makes unfounded claims about the human past like extraterrestrial involvement, is prevalent in entertainment media and influences our culture.

• Pseudoarchaeology often upholds myths of white supremacy, disparages non-European achievements, and harms marginalized groups like Indigenous peoples.

• To combat racism and xenophobia, archaeologists need to make the discipline more inclusive, work with descendant communities, and make archaeology more accessible to the public.