Representation Of Archaeology

Archaeology not only plays a large part within our discovery and understanding of the world, but is widely adapted among popular media; raising the question, is archaeology properly represented? Holtorf et al. states that the masses have found archaeological appeal in their media deriving from idealized clichés, metaphors, and stereotypes, rather than truth and facts (10); drawing incorrect representations of archaeology in the process. Moe et al. insists that ethics are essential when teaching and practicing archaeology, to students and the public, in order to create a responsible and intelligent society (111-112), whereas the media only depicts extreme misrepresentations of archaeology. Furthermore, Feder declares that pseudoscience themes

Demoule adds that all excavations require time and complex organization, some may take up to several years to complete properly (6-7). Throughout the film, the major theme of characters’ disinterest towards proper archaeological techniques does nothing to aid the archeological field. For example: during their journey, a chasm impedes them, instead of preserving a monumental column, they use explosives to send the column crashing over the chasm, creating a bridge. This method goes entirely against archaeological methods and displays the team’s complete ignorance to the ethics and discipline of archaeology. Ramifications of these actions are ignored by the film, and do not mention what the results this destructive action will have on the civilization. Additionally, these actions completely misrepresent methods and attitudes within the actual field; Demoule correctly writes that excavation is a destructive process and that archeologists often feel guilty over the irreparable damage caused (6). The film overlooks, and ignores, the fact that the majority of archaeologists care deeply for their delicate subjects and specimens. These inaccuracies are detrimental to the field, because it gives the public misleading information, and could lead to the harming of archaeological finds. Finding archaeological evidence heavily relies on chance, and are typically found by average

The expedition team is nearly entirely made up of mercenaries; labeling the explorers as ‘dangerous’ and ‘greedy’. The protagonist lands in the same unoriginal category Holtorf et al. describes; the foreign hero that saves the civilization (62). All characters within the film encompass the four main themes described by Holtorf et al.: adventurer, detective, revelations, and caretaker (104), and none of these themes provide an accurate representation of archaeologists. The film focuses on action, rather than creating real-life depictions of different anthropological fields; the film turns the geological field into continues punchlines and glosses over linguistics, failing to explain a key concept – how do the Atalanteans speak English? Mass media must focus on portraying archaeologists truthfully, as intelligent, helpful researchers, who wish to discover more about the earth’s history, rather than using the same plots and characters constantly rehashed and falsely