Aliens & archaeology: why do we get history wrong on purpose? | Sarah Kurnick | TEDxMileHigh

Summary

This script addresses the allure and dangers of pseudo-archaeology, which makes unproven claims about history, often involving aliens or lost civilizations. It criticizes the racism and xenophobia inherent in these narratives, which undermine the achievements of non-European cultures. The speaker, an archaeologist, shares personal anecdotes to highlight the impact of such myths on indigenous people and calls for a more inclusive and accessible approach to archaeology to counteract harmful misconceptions and promote a true appreciation of human diversity.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The speaker is an archaeologist who studies the ancient Maya and often encounters pseudo-archaeology claims in casual conversations.
• 👽 Pseudo-archaeology involves making unproven claims about the human past, such as aliens building the pyramids or Atlantis survivors inventing hieroglyphic writing.
• 📺 These unfounded claims are widespread in media, including TV shows like 'Ancient Aliens', movies, and books like 'Chariots of the Gods'.
• 🌐 The speaker argues that pseudo-archaeology is not just harmless entertainment; it is often racist and xenophobic, influencing culture negatively.
• 🏛 Pseudo-archaeologists tend to credit non-European civilizations' achievements to outside help, while European feats are seen as their own, reinforcing white supremacy myths.
• 🗿 The speaker's personal experience with a Maya man highlights the impact of pseudo-archaeology on indigenous people's perception of their own history and culture.
• 🌐 Pseudo-archaeology harms not just indigenous people but also viewers by promoting inequality and undermining appreciation for human diversity.
• 🏫 The script discusses the importance of teaching accurate history and the controversy over curriculum changes in Jefferson County, Colorado, that included more diverse historical perspectives.
• 🗽 The debate over public monuments of controversial figures like Robert E. Lee and Christopher Columbus reflects the political nature of historical memory.
• 🔍 The speaker calls for archaeologists to make their discipline more inclusive by working with the descendants of the people they study and making archaeology more accessible to the public.
• 📚 The script concludes by emphasizing the importance of skepticism towards pseudo-archaeological claims and recognizing the political and ever-changing nature of history.

Q & A

What is the speaker's profession and area of study?

The speaker is an archaeologist who specializes in studying the ancient Maya civilization.

What does the speaker describe as 'pseudo-archaeology'?

Pseudo-archaeology is described as a field that seems like archaeology but involves making wild and unproven claims about the human past, such as aliens building the pyramids or survivors from Atlantis inventing hieroglyphic writing.

Why does the speaker argue that pseudo-archaeology is problematic?

The speaker argues that pseudo-archaeology is problematic because it is often racist and xenophobic, sustaining myths of white supremacy and discrediting the achievements of non-European ancestors.

What is the significance of the image on the sarcophagus lid of the Maya king Pakal?

The image on the sarcophagus lid of the Maya king Pakal is significant because it shows the deceased king rising from the underworld to be reborn as a deity, with a stylized world tree and symbols for the sun, moon, and stars, representing ancient Maya religion, cosmology, and iconography.

How does the speaker's neighbor's misconception about the Maya king Pakal's image reflect the impact of pseudo-archaeology?

The neighbor's misconception, believing the image to be of an astronaut controlling a rocket ship, reflects the impact of pseudo-archaeology by overshadowing the actual cultural and historical significance of the image with a fictional alien narrative.

What are the two main actions the speaker suggests archaeologists should take to combat pseudo-archaeology?

The speaker suggests that archaeologists should make their discipline more inclusive by working with and for the descendants of the people they study, and make archaeology more accessible by finding new ways to share their work with the public.

Why did the local school board in Jefferson County, Colorado, protest against the changes in the advanced placement curriculum?

The local school board protested the changes because they believed the new curriculum did not do enough to promote capitalism or American exceptionalism, and included controversial topics like the removal of Native Americans to reservations and the rise of economic inequality.

What is the debate surrounding public monuments to controversial figures?

The debate revolves around whether such monuments should be left as they are, destroyed, or placed in museums, and how to deal with protesters who deface these monuments, whether to praise them for debunking myths of white supremacy or punish them for vigilantism and lawlessness.

What does the speaker imply about the importance of who presents the past in history textbooks and public monuments?

The speaker implies that it is crucial to consider who presents the past because it directly relates to current political concerns and can influence our understanding of history, suggesting that if marginalized voices were the ones telling history, our understanding might be different.

What example does the speaker provide of how real archaeology can be engaging without resorting to pseudo-archaeological claims?

The speaker provides the example of the 1950s game show 'What in the World,' where archaeologists would identify artifacts and their origins, demonstrating that real archaeology, based on scientific facts and historical context, can be fascinating and engaging without the need for sensationalist claims.