Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Films vs. reality ...

... and in this case films may be winning: Indiana Jones and the image of academics.

"Many archaeologists have enthusiastically embraced the Hollywood fantasy, borrowing a bit of Indiana Jones's mystique for themselves."

1 comment:

  1. Having spent many a weekend sifting through mud for a few pot shards - as a hobby, no less - I can agree that Indy Jones is perhaps a bit over the top. Who woulda thought movies wouldn't be accurate? Perhaps the best story of modern archaeolgy I've heard is about some ongoing work at a French fort site on the Great Lakes. They used to use day-release prisoners to help with the tedious, dirt-sifting labor. Now they use grad students.

    Here's a cheerful look at what archaeologists face day to day. (Not.)
    Onion.Archaeologist

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