Let’s talk about my favourite symposium from the SAA conference. 🙂
Forgive me if I misrepresent anything that was discussed - I’m exhausted! (My supervisor and I went for a 10km walk after her presentation this morning!)
This symposium covered pseudoarchaeology from several different angles: comic books, the popularity of zombies, Sherlock Holmes, and...Tumblr!!
Basically, popular media and the internet are full of examples of pseudoarchaeology. And as exemplified in the Sherlock Holmes books - this is nothing new.
Speakers reminded us that archaeologists have the power to support living communities by helping to dispel myths. What kinds of myths? How about aliens and their association with ancient structures like the pyramids.
One of the problems with pseudoarchaeology is there is so much plausible information out there that it can be hard to determine what is real and what isn’t. However, we have the power to actively engage with the public and help guide them. The past is amazing enough on its own! The people of the past don’t need aliens to make them interesting.
The first speaker in the symposium used a lot of examples of how archaeologists on Tumblr are using their voices to educate. (Some of you are amazing educators- seriously!!!!) Remember the ancient grilled cheese meme from a while ago? It was a humorous alternative to drinking the sarcophagus juice. (Don’t drink the sarcophagus juice). It was funny but links to legitimate archaeological discoveries were provided for each of the sandwich ingredients.
Memes are an excellent way to educate the public. We should 100% participate in the humour but we should try to educate as we do so.
There was so much to this session and I know it inspired me to want to use my platform more effectively. There’s so much more to discuss but I’m falling asleep and I have to leave for the airport at 5am. I invite anyone else who was in the session to add their thoughts!
