Comments on: The Year of Pseudo-archaeology http://ahotcupofjoe.net/2007/12/the-year-of-pseudo-archaeology/ Archaeology, anthropology, science, and skepticism Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:35:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: cfeagans http://ahotcupofjoe.net/2007/12/the-year-of-pseudo-archaeology/comment-page-1/#comment-241 cfeagans Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:46:17 +0000 http://ahotcupofjoe.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/the-year-of-pseudo-archaeology/#comment-241 It is, of course, something that should be considered. My first thought was "it's just plain silly to allow superstition to interfere with something as beneficial as the canal." I never really thought about the cultural value of the spit itself. I would, however, suggest that there isn't any indication that there are archaeological resources to protect (that I've read of so far, that is). It appear to be akin to the situation with sites like Devils Tower in Wyoming -a site popular with climbers but sacred to Natives. The argument was that public lands should not be made unavailable based on religious arguments and a sort of compromise was reached, making it unofficially off-limits for climbing during annual celebrations (most climbers respect this taboo and climb the other days of the year). Perhaps some sort of cultural compromise can be reached by the entities involved that will give Rama Sethu some status and notoriety as well as protection in exchange for a canal. There's also an argument against the dredging that comes from an ecological perspective, though I'm not sure what the data are that supports what damage could be done or what could be done to answer this risk. It is, of course, something that should be considered. My first thought was “it’s just plain silly to allow superstition to interfere with something as beneficial as the canal.”

I never really thought about the cultural value of the spit itself. I would, however, suggest that there isn’t any indication that there are archaeological resources to protect (that I’ve read of so far, that is). It appear to be akin to the situation with sites like Devils Tower in Wyoming -a site popular with climbers but sacred to Natives. The argument was that public lands should not be made unavailable based on religious arguments and a sort of compromise was reached, making it unofficially off-limits for climbing during annual celebrations (most climbers respect this taboo and climb the other days of the year).

Perhaps some sort of cultural compromise can be reached by the entities involved that will give Rama Sethu some status and notoriety as well as protection in exchange for a canal.

There’s also an argument against the dredging that comes from an ecological perspective, though I’m not sure what the data are that supports what damage could be done or what could be done to answer this risk.

]]> By: arlani http://ahotcupofjoe.net/2007/12/the-year-of-pseudo-archaeology/comment-page-1/#comment-240 arlani Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:38:13 +0000 http://ahotcupofjoe.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/the-year-of-pseudo-archaeology/#comment-240 Just for clarification, I don't intend to imply the US law will have any bearing on the status of the "bridge"--just that similar types of locations in the US can have some measure of protection under existing law. I have no idea what, if any, protection Sri Lanka has for cultural properties, heritage sites, or national landmarks and parks. Just for clarification, I don’t intend to imply the US law will have any bearing on the status of the “bridge”–just that similar types of locations in the US can have some measure of protection under existing law. I have no idea what, if any, protection Sri Lanka has for cultural properties, heritage sites, or national landmarks and parks.

]]> By: arlani http://ahotcupofjoe.net/2007/12/the-year-of-pseudo-archaeology/comment-page-1/#comment-239 arlani Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:18:13 +0000 http://ahotcupofjoe.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/the-year-of-pseudo-archaeology/#comment-239 Rama's Bridge sounds a lot like the kind of place that would qualify as a traditional cultural property under the US National Historic Preservation Act. Even though there is no archaeological evidence to support the claims, the site apparently has strong connections to Vedic mythology, much like Mt. Graham's significance to the Apache. And because of the importance of the site to a group's heritage, it may certainly worth considering preserving the location--though archaeology may not be the best means of demonstrating the worth of the site. Rama’s Bridge sounds a lot like the kind of place that would qualify as a traditional cultural property under the US National Historic Preservation Act. Even though there is no archaeological evidence to support the claims, the site apparently has strong connections to Vedic mythology, much like Mt. Graham’s significance to the Apache. And because of the importance of the site to a group’s heritage, it may certainly worth considering preserving the location–though archaeology may not be the best means of demonstrating the worth of the site.

]]> By: Blog Carnival - Four Stone Hearth #30 « Archaeozoology http://ahotcupofjoe.net/2007/12/the-year-of-pseudo-archaeology/comment-page-1/#comment-238 Blog Carnival - Four Stone Hearth #30 « Archaeozoology Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:01:44 +0000 http://ahotcupofjoe.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/the-year-of-pseudo-archaeology/#comment-238 [...] well worth a read, but I particularly enjoyed ‘Deep History?‘ by Clioaudio and ‘the year in pseudo-archaeology‘ by Hot Cup of Joe. Why not take a wander over and see for [...] [...] well worth a read, but I particularly enjoyed ‘Deep History?‘ by Clioaudio and ‘the year in pseudo-archaeology‘ by Hot Cup of Joe. Why not take a wander over and see for [...]

]]> By: archaeozoo http://ahotcupofjoe.net/2007/12/the-year-of-pseudo-archaeology/comment-page-1/#comment-237 archaeozoo Wed, 19 Dec 2007 09:53:26 +0000 http://ahotcupofjoe.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/the-year-of-pseudo-archaeology/#comment-237 I never cease to be amazed at what people are prepared to believe even when the facts are set before them. I never cease to be amazed at what people are prepared to believe even when the facts are set before them.

]]> By: Four Stone Hearth 30 « Archaeoporn http://ahotcupofjoe.net/2007/12/the-year-of-pseudo-archaeology/comment-page-1/#comment-236 Four Stone Hearth 30 « Archaeoporn Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:22:29 +0000 http://ahotcupofjoe.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/the-year-of-pseudo-archaeology/#comment-236 [...] My top choice from this issue is Hot Cup of Joe’s top pseudo-archaeology of 2007. [...] [...] My top choice from this issue is Hot Cup of Joe’s top pseudo-archaeology of 2007. [...]

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