AnthroPOST

Updates coming soon...

2009-12-06T14:23:00.003-05:00

Hiatus

2008-11-21T06:44:00.002-05:00

As you may have noticed AnthroPost is currently on hiatus and under going some minor reconfiguration. Thank you for your patience.

Spotlight: Donald Cochran

2008-09-03T04:27:00.006-04:00

Archaeologist, teacher, conservationist, and mentor Donald Cochran from the Archaeological Resources Management Service at Ball State University has retired and is moving on to explore archaeology in other manners. He worked and taught at the university for over 20 years and he will be missed by the anthropology department. Mr. Cochran served on my thesis committee and has been a resource for knowledge and support. Good luck!

Day Note: Job hunting and malaise

2008-07-17T04:41:00.003-04:00

First off, I must apologize for the drought in blogging and I promise to update soon. I graduate Ball State University Saturday and I have been looking for employment and as we all know this is very stressful. I try not to get in a 'rut', but it is hard. I need reinvigorated! Cheers, and wish me luck.

Update: The New Amazonians

2008-06-30T19:34:00.006-04:00

News organizations retracted a story about the discovery of a new tribe of Amazonian peoples last week. AnthroPOST covered this story but researched the story to disclose that anthropologists knew about the existence of the "new" tribe for nearly 20 years and reported it as such. The article highlighted the Brazilians governments broad plan of protecting indigenous people and keeping the nations jungles intact while doing-so. AnthroPOST linked to the AP press release that was later retracted despite our story being accurate...I apologize.

Read a story about the retraction from the UK Guardian here.

Old Noises are New Again

2008-06-30T19:22:00.003-04:00

A skull-shaped whistle laid untouched for years, 15 years to be exact. The whistle was found in an Aztec temple and is manufactured from clay. Finally, after 15 years someone blew into the ancient instrument illiciting a deathly howl. This new discovery is allowing anthropologists to view these items not as mere toys or noisemakers but as divine instruments. Often we only get a view of how the past looked and sometimes felt; rarely we get a chance to hear the ancient past. This new awakening of culture from a distant time allows a new emergence of cultural recognition of past peoples. A recognition that often has gone overlooked for the more brutal natures of these societies. Full story from AP after the jump.

Researchers make noises of pre-Columbian society - Yahoo News/AP

AnthroPOST Interview

2008-06-16T03:28:00.013-04:00

Dr. Richard Hall - Director of Archaeology York Archaeological Trust

I spoke with Dr. Richard Hall briefly on matters concerning York, England and the long-lasting impacts of Viking culture on the city of York.

AnthroPOST: "It is nice to show that the Vikings not only pillaged cities like York but also left a unique cultural imprint. When I visited the Jorvik Viking Centre, which was lovingly set-up and helmed by the York Archaeological Trust (YAT), I got a sense that the museum is displaying the cultural significance of the Vikings in York properly...about damn time"

Hall: "The Viking age certainly was formative for modern York in that it was the era within which the city developed economically and topographically, assuming fundamental attributes which have conditioned its evolution ever since."

AnthroPOST: How sophisticated were the Vikings?

Hall: "For example, Viking king's manipulated coinage design for propaganda value."

AnthroPOST: "The archaeology done by YAT, primarily the Viking Dig, has really bridged knowledge gaps in association with the true culture of the Vikings. The world can see the Vikings as people and not just barbarians. Concerning the present course of modern archaeology in York, is it becoming more complicated to do the necessary archaeological work and do you think the future holds more opportunities to do excavations and research to the extent of which has occurred before?"

Hall: "There have been significant changes in the way in which archaeology in York and elsewhere in England is conducted since 'The Viking Dig' of 1976-81, most notably the introduction by central government of Planning Policy Guidance Note 16, which makes archaeology a statutory position. Practically, it means that all sites in the city are archaeologically evaluated, by digging small holes, before planning permission is granted, and that redevelopers may have to pay for the excavation and recording of archaeological deposits that their work will destroy. This in turn has led developers to attempt to minimise destruction of archaeology, and also to introduce a competitive market for archaeological contractors."

AnthroPOST: "Is it better to leave some things in the ground or excavate and try to curate them as best as possible?"

Hall: "Preservation sounds good in principle; but it sometimes means that only small and rather incomprehensible portions of a site are investigated instead of the larger areas that would make sense of a site, but which are obviously more costly to undertake. Furthermore, the jury is out on whether the preservation of anoxic 'waterlogged' deposits is being effective; are we just kidding ourselves that these precious deposits will still be there in a generation, or a century? This is hotly debated."

AnthroPOST: "So it appears that it is the same-old situation of too much development with too little archaeology. It is a double-edge sword I suppose. I understand there will be future archaeology in the city, whether you desire it or not."

Hall: "There clearly are a few large scale opportunities to investigate that we can identify now, and there is more opportunity to evaluate sites on a small scale; so we are in a different archaeological world from when I directed The Viking Dig."

AnthroPOST: "Finally, Viking tourism...have you created a monster?"

Hall: "...since YAT opened the Jorvik Viking Centre in 1984 there has been a significant burst of awareness of how important the Viking age of the mid 9th - mid 11th centuries was in York, and a splattering of businesses who either deal in something to do with this (tourism related, generally) or who call themselves 'Jorvik' this or that."

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

For more information about the Jorvik Viking Centre and the York Archaeological Trust you can visit their website by clicking here. Thanks to Dr. Richard Hall for taking time to briefly speak with me. You may read more about his thoughts on the Jorvik Viking Centre here.

Update: Stonehenge

2008-06-06T15:27:00.006-04:00

Dr. Mike Parker Pearson is an unassuming archaeologist hoping to change the common misperceptions of Stonehenge, the famous rock formation in Southern England. He has worked at the Hebrides to Madasgascar and his sights are now squarely set on Stonehenge and Avebury. Though he is quite familiar with the sites due to many years of research and archaeological research conducted in the area, he is face with new challenges each time he goes out in the field. In 1998, Dr. Pearson and his fellow colleagues developed a theory that suggested Stonehenge was linked to the river Avon by a serious of 'avenues' which continued along the river to Durrington Walls. Durrington Walls is the site of Woodhenge, the equivalent of Stonehenge but built in wood.

Stonehenge Riverside Project 2007

Dr. Pearson and a team of archaeologists from the University of Sheffield set out on the largest archaeological investigation of Stonehenge in recent memory with over 270 people working at the site. Students of anthropology/archaeology came from a myriad of universities scattered across Europe to help out. Archaeological excavations centered on Dr. Pearsons 1998 theory and most importantly Durrington Walls. The team led by Dr. Pearson uncovered many interesting findings about Stonehenge and its purpose. Dr. Pearson believes that Stonehenge served as a ceremonial place for the dead and Durrington Walls with its 'live' wood construction, a ritual place for the living. Houses were uncovered in Durrington Walls; these houses suggest a seasonal occupation. The discovery of a spiritual boundary called the 'cursus' was also a revolutionary finding at Stonehenge.

The findings, though too elaborated for me to explore further in this article are quite possibly the most unique archaeological findings about Stonehenge to date. For more about these findings please visit Stonehenge Riverside Project online.

Also visit Stonehenge was a burial site for centuries. - Yahoo News

The New Amazonians

2008-06-03T14:39:00.011-04:00

Despite anthropologists knowing the tribe has existed for nearly 20 years, they have still remained uncontacted by outside people, states the Brazilian government. Last week the Brazilian government released photographs taken earlier this year of an aircraft fly-over of the uncontacted village in hopes to raise awareness of the indigenous people of Brazil in on going campaign for Brazil's National Indian Foundation. Though anthropologists suggest most of these tribes are fully aware of the western world, they choose to remain outside of that world and keep the lifestyles they are accustomed too. These groups have often been attacked by outsiders and they are chiefly wary of new people.

Brazil hopes that their campaign to protect indigenous people will have resounding effects on their population, already the Brazilian government has seen an increase in malocas (grass-roofed huts). Brazil suffers from logging that often goes uncontrolled which is an immediate threat to the people and animals that call the jungles of the Amazon home.

I hope that the efforts of the Brazilian government to protect its indigenous people are echoed in other countries in the future. Brazil has a lot of social and economic problems to tackle (like China and India) in the upcoming years to better deal with its rising population and importance in the western world.

For the full story see the AP press release.

Heist at UBC Museum of Anthropology

2008-06-01T22:03:00.013-04:00

Often we think of big heists occuring at major art museums, either consisting of major pieces of art by well-known artists or expensive and rare jewelry and gems. We often forget natural history and anthropological museums house expensive collections of artifacts and art. The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada was the victim of a major heist last week. Works of art by Haida artist Bill Reid and several Mexican art pieces vanished during the loot grab. Gold bracelets and necklaces from the museums Incan collection were also reported stolen. Scott McRae from UBC suggested the thieves knew what they were doing and knew what objects they wanted.

News1130 reports that key security cameras mysteriously went offline for four hours and that an alarm went unanswered by campus security. The thieves used bear spray to fill the museum areas where the heist was taking place to ward off any would be first-responders.

However, it appears the first-responders never came. I am sure this will be addressed in a future meeting...and someone maybe getting fired. For now it appears there are more questions than answers. Stay tuned for more information.

Hit the jump for the story from News1130.

Heist at Museum of Anthropology - News1130.com

Day Note: The Return

2008-06-01T21:10:00.006-04:00

Nearing the end of April I realized after many months of hard work on my thesis that I would most likely not be graduating in early May. I knew that my thesis was just not ready and much work was needed. So now, to make a long story short, my thesis is completed. Look for more information concerning that in the future. During the time my committee mulled over my thesis I took a short trip with my girlfriend to New York City. A nice, but unfortunately short visit was paid to the American Museum of Natural History. As mentioned in a previous post, this is where Clark Wissler served as curator for many years. It is a very nice museum and on my return to New York City I hope to spend more time crawling through its vast archives.

Day Note: Earthquake

2008-04-18T06:11:00.006-04:00

Woke up to an earthquake today. The magnitude was 5.4, which is fairly uncommon in the Midwest though earthquakes do happen on the New Madrid fault. I live in Indianapolis and felt quite a considerable shake that lasted for upwards of 15-30 seconds. The New Madrid seismic zone is fairly large and effects most of the Midwest when earthquakes do occur. Like most fault zones the New Madrid seismic zone is due for the 'big one.' The large 1812 New Madrid 8.0 earthquake caused the Mississippi River to change its course.

Recent earthquake activity in the United States [USGS]

Spotlight: Clark Wissler

2008-04-16T16:44:00.003-04:00

Anthropology and archaeology boasts many great leaders in its many discoveries and advancements over the years. Clark Wissler, who was born near Hagerstown, Indiana, is such a man whose name is synonymous with Midwestern archaeology but only in certain circles. Wissler has become in sorts a forgotten hero in the realm of anthropology. Though often overshadowed by many of his contemporaries like Frank Boas who he studied under at Columbia University and also worked under at the Museum of Natural History, Clark Wissler has left an influential and ideological legacy. While working as Curator of Ethnography at the American Museum of Natural History he was able to engage in more in-depth studies of Native Americans. During his early days at the museum he found himself occupied with the Blackfoot Indians. He took part in ethnographic fieldwork among the Blackfoot during the summers. These studies produced some very beneficial and significant papers. These papers made him an authority on the Blackfoot and other Plains Indians.

At a time in history when archaeology was a new and developing field, many different classification methods existed and were being utilized. Museums for example rarely classified artifacts with a historic tribe. This is due. somewhat, to artifacts being older than known living peoples. Dr. Wissler perfected the idea of establishing archaeological areas.

The famous or infamous account of Muncie, Indiana written by Robert and Helen Lynd; Middletown is a very interesting and important work of anthropology, sociology and history. Not just because it's the first time anthropological techniques were applied to a study of a single American city, but also Lynd's findings provide an interesting look at how by the time of his writings in the 1920s, things between then and now haven't changed in certain respects. Even more interestingly Clark Wissler donated his opinion by providing the original forward to Middletown. "We are always hearing," he said, "that the study of society must be made objective . . . the realities of social sciences are what people do" (Wissler Archives 1920).

Clark Wissler has helped change the way society understands culture and how past ways of life are to be viewed. I can think of no crowing achievement greater than this. Perhaps many do not know his contributions to anthropology but his legacy is undeniable.

The Clark Wissler Archives are housed in the Department of Anthropology at Ball State University.

253 Million Year Old Cellulose Found in New Mexico

2008-04-15T04:05:00.005-04:00

Unfossilized cellulose and ancient DNA were discovered in salt crystals under an old nuclear waste dump in southern New Mexico. The DNA was found in minute quantities and still needs to be verified. So what does all this mean? Cellulose is very robust and therefore finding it in such inhospitable locations is encouraging news for the search of life on other planets in our solar system (even though cellulose is technically one of the most abundant stuff on Earth). If we can perfect these techniques, perhaps these tests and others like it can be utilized in the planned Mars missions to take place later this century. Hit the jump for the full story on Yahoo News.

Ancient Biological Material Found in NM [Yahoo News]

The Power of Food

2008-04-14T18:37:00.004-04:00

Impoverished nations that can not feed their citizens are facing challenges staying in control and are threatened by riots and the possibility of their regimes toppling over. According to the World Bank, food prices have been steadily on the rise over the last three years, up to an 80% increase in cost. Combine this with the formative success of capitalism in many nearby countries and regions, this spells disaster in the last totalitarian hold-outs. It has been apparent over the centuries that people will put up with dictatorships and totalitarianism in the most peculiar and horrific of circumstances. However, as long as there is some resemblance of normalcy and the continuance of adequate distribution of food and essentials, people will cope and deal with whatever is thrown at them. When these societal necessities breakdown and violence begins to tear away at this accustomed normalcy, people will revolt and become regime topplers and take back what is rightfully theirs. When government stands between the citizens and essential items of survival, the people will fight for it passionately, and relentlessly. This is the most basic of human instincts. Hit the link for the full story from Time.

How Hunger Could Topple Regimes [Time]

Update: Stonehenge

2008-04-14T18:16:00.004-04:00

Archaeologists says they have made a key breakthrough in recent archaeological work done at Stonehenge. Recently, archaeologists began conducting excavations unlike anything conducted at the site during the last half-century. The dig is funded by the BBC, which is also producing a television program about the excavation. As I reported in my last post on Stonehenge, of importance to the archaeologists at the site are what have been deemed bluestones. These stones once made up the original structure of Stonehenge and were brought to the site as far away as Wales. Researches suggest these stones were brought to the site because of their apparent healing properties. The idea that the site may have been used for healing is not thrown around as much as the many other possible theories related to the origins of the site and I look forward to continuing to follow this story. Also during the dig a beaker pottery fragment was discovered. The find of Beaker culture artifacts is certainly a great discovery because this may suggest the Beaker culture produced some earlier facets of Stonehenge, not just later phases. Hit the jump for the Associated Press article.

Researches Suspect Stonehenge was Ancient Healing Site [Associated Press]

Day Note

2008-04-09T15:33:00.003-04:00

Sorry folks for the long silence. The thesis deadline was not made because there is still much more work for me to do. Thus, this is why I have been neglecting the blog for some time. Bear with me and I will get back on top of all of this. Thanks.

Creating the Mound Builders

2008-04-04T03:29:00.002-04:00

It is widely known now that in the early days of archaeological inquiry into the ancient past of the Americas, little credit was given to Native Americans. This tradition of slighting the Native Americans achievements dates back to the first discovery of this continent by European explorers. The 1848 Ephraim G. Squier and Edwin H. Davis book entitled, "Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley" explored the creation of mounds in the North America. From this we get the term, Mound builder, which describes a mythic extinct race that absurdly was deemed the creators of these great monumental achievements.This is of course false, there was no mound-building race, and it was a misunderstanding, or better yet, a failed attempt to see what was right in front of their faces the whole time. If better advances in ethnography and archaeological methods were present in those times, they more than likely would have had a different interpretation of what they were researching. However, it would not be till NAGPRA that Native Americans would find themselves on equal footing with archaeologists in understanding their past. Most would argue that there is still a lot of work to be done to correct damages done in the past because of misled archaeological theory and colonial domination of Native Americans…and they are right, but anthropology/archaeology is heading in the right direction.

The emergence of historical archaeology would fair no better in the treatment of Native Americans. Little attention has been given to Native Americans in historical archaeological literature. Maybe it is a statement on the continued isolation of Native Peoples' by our government or perhaps it is just simple neglect.

It seems that in recent years, Native American studies have expanded to include historical archaeology, which has allowed a new way of understanding Native Peoples' historical context. In fact, it is this notion of whether they should be included or not into the realm of historical archaeology that is of much recent debate. Personally, I see no reason for not including Native Peoples' in all forms of study that may help increase our knowledge of them, whether this be archaeological study or socio-cultural studies.

We must look to our past to understand our future. As contemporary Americans, of all social and economic levels, we must build these bridges to our past and never burn them down.

Day Note

2008-04-03T16:10:00.005-04:00

I have been trying desperately to get my thesis approved. My committee is still mulling over the thesis and it is due Monday by 5PM in perfect form. If my committee can get back to me tomorrow, then I will have a crazy weekend trying to get it all done. As a result, the frequency of my posts may be sporadic or non-existent for a few days. Wish me luck and thanks for reading.

Ethnocentrism and Me

2008-04-03T07:12:00.005-04:00

I think it is key to stress the importance of ethnocentrism and why it is an issue in today's modern world. Ethnocentrism is usually defined as having false assumptions about other's culture and heritage based on your experiences. When first being taught about ethnocentrism I learned it was natural to have these feelings and to be unaware of them. The mind is not acutely aware of its ignorance about another culture. False assumptions can lead to harsh misjudgments and reflect poorly on the culture you represent. This can both work in negative and positive manners and may have undesired consequences. No one on can claim to be free of ethnocentric thoughts; we can only strive to better understand why this phenomenon happens. You must comprehend your environment and at the same time cope with your emotions to fully understand what is happening around you. Dealing with your emotions is crucial in confronting your own ethnocentrism.

In my recent visit to England, Scotland, and Italy I had an opportunity to practice what I preach. England and Scotland were very similar to the United States in social structure and daily function. Britain was not a strikingly different culture either. It was the little things that I had to adjust to, so as to understand what was going on. Ordering food, traveling, communicating with people and simple daily activities were often at times completely different then what we encountered in the states. Ethnocentrism does not necessarily play a major role in how one orders food, but what ethnocentrism does is make what you encounter feel odd and strange due to how you perceive the world. What ethnocentrism really deals with is how you handle what you are seeing, feeling, touching, and doing while in a new environment. Being an American, I see things from the American's point of view, no matter how much I have been trained in anthropology nothing quite prepares you for being submersed in a new culture and environment. The biggest hurdles I had to overcome where mental. The mind sees something or someone different and makes comparisons in your head to what is familiar to you. Before you even realize it you are being ethnocentric. Often I made myself look at things I saw in Europe from the perspective of people living there. Of course I can never fully understand what someone else is thinking and I dare not pretend I could assume to either. When hanging around a place long enough you soak up information about a culture you would never be subjected to back in the United States. Through watching television, talking to people, and by simply walking down the street, you are undergoing enculturation. This process opens your mind and senses to the new environment, culture, and people you are encountering. While in England and Scotland, I encountered situations where having an understanding of ethnocentrism came in handy, and then I had the chance to think about it and try to understand what was happening around me.

I think what you have to understand is that deep down, all people what the same things. Our differences should be embraced. I look at the world through an anthropologists eyes and I value and respect all that I see.

Iron Age and Roman Farmoor, Oxfordshire

2008-04-02T21:38:00.003-04:00

Farmoor is an Iron Age and Roman era settlement in Oxfordshire, England. The site of Farmoor is partly on a floodplain of the river Thames. The valley runs from Farmoor, east to Oxford. The original site included little that may point to an extensive settlement. After unearthing one settlement covered deep in muck and mud, more settlements emerged. Farmoor is important because of these intact settlements. In the middle Iron Age three farmsteads comprising of small ditched enclosures were constructed on the open floodplain, while other small enclosures were made on the edge of the gravel terrace. The only definite Iron Age feature is a rectangular enclosure. Roman pottery was found here but certain layers only produced Iron Age material. There is evidence of cereal cultivation at this site due to archaeological and biological evidence. Evidence like this can be gathered through midden (trash) deposits, field equipment, and actual field material and residue. Crop plants found from archaeological deposits can be divided into three groups. These groups are cultivated plants, wild plants that could also be recognized as crops, and wild plants not recognized as crops. The Roman use of the Farmoor site was different than its use during the Iron Age. There is no archaeological or biological evidence to prove the site was occupied all year round.

Japanese Children Must Excel in Order To Get Into A Prestigious High School

2008-04-02T06:25:00.009-04:00

The Japanese education system strives to bring the education of its children to the top level, not leaving anyone behind. This high level of equality and quality education is something that other countries including our own have tried to model. The model of success is hard to follow sometimes. However, Japan is not without its problems and no one can pretend that Japan is perfect. Students who achieve well scholastically in elementary school will have a better chance of getting into a more prestigious high school when they apply later on. In Japan one has to apply and take written exams to get into high school; this is contrary to how it is here in the states, where you just attend your local high school. The "privileged" children who have excelled are destined to be accepted at a good high school and those who are not as intelligent will have to settle for second-class high schools or vocational schools. The more intelligent a child is will undoubtedly earn them more respect and of course a better chance of succeeding, but this doesn’t mean that they are labeled differently than other children in their class.

The question you must ask yourself is: Will the United States ever seek to change a failing system and try to update its educational system? Or is it too late?

McCain Would Use Anthropologists in Modern Day OSS

2008-04-01T23:07:00.008-04:00

Missing from most of John McCain's political speeches is his affection for covert operations that harken back to days prior to World War II. Foreign policy; a political strong point for McCain is a hot issue this election year. McCain plans to implement procedures that effectively creates a new agency that is similar to the OSS (Office of Strategic Services), which was the precursor to the CIA. The agency would employ the talents of warfare specialists, covert action operators (what ever that is), and experts in the scientific fields such as anthropology. This news is good for McCain's detractors, who suggest he spends too much time in the past. Hit the jump for the full article from Georgie Anne Geyer.

John McCain's Future Vision Seems Mired in the Past [Yahoo News]

4,000 Year Old Peruvian Gold Necklace

2008-03-31T20:58:00.005-04:00

In Peru researchers have uncovered a nearly 4,000 year old gold necklace which is being touted as the earliest example of gold jewelry in the Americas. Currently no evidence at the site shows how the necklace was manufactured. The burial site near Lake Titicaca in southern Peru is just south of where the next oldest gold necklace was found dating 600 years later. Hit the jump for the Associated Press story.

Ancient Gold Necklace Discovered in Peru [Associated Press]

Stonehenge Dug Up, Druids NOT Hopping Mad

2008-03-31T19:49:00.003-04:00

Stonehenge last saw the shovel hit ground (that we know about) over half a century ago during excavations in 1964. It is the usual mysterious qualities yet again that have brought archaeologist to dig here and this time they have the backing of the Druids who have adopted the World Heritage Site as their ritualistic home. In fact the Druids have given archaeologists and other investigators their blessing. Bluestones; according to Dr. Simon Thurley are key to understanding the purpose and meaning of Stonehenge. There are so many facts and myths concerning Stonehenge that most archaeologists don't know what is right or wrong so I am excited to follow this story. I have always been fascinated with being part of an archaeological excavation at Stonehenge, how great it must be to be out there in the beautiful weather that Wiltshire has to offer at this time of year....plus all the tourists staring at you. As a tourist it is a great time to see Stonehenge. Monitors have been set up in tents for the curious. The BBC will be doing a a special documentary on the dig...hopefully this reaches stateside in some form. Hit the link for the story from The Independent.

The Secret of Stonehenge [The Independent]