Don't feel too bad. In my chapter of the book in question (Box Office
Archaeology--plug, plug), I readily admit that my initial introduction to
archaeology was a viewing of the Three Stooges short "We Want Our Mummy."
Thereafter, my parents also started buying me what were then the best
popular books on archaeology available to the public. I didn't suffer any
later disallusionment about Larry, Moe, and Curly (fortunately), but I did
learn in college that archaeology was, in fact, quite different from the
sort that was being reported in the books I read as an adolescent, like
Gods, Graves, and Scholars. Most of that literature also presented highly
romanticized tales of exotic expeditions, many of which were not far
removed from grave robbing.
Perhaps we should be thankful for Indiana Jones forever changing what had
been the popular image of archaeologists up to that point, i.e., a bunch of
bookish, tweedy, old men. At least the movie came close to capturing how
truly exciting we are.
Candace Ehringer
<[log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask]
COM> cc: (bcc: Vergil Noble/MWAC/NPS)
Sent by: Subject: Re: Better than Hollywood's stories.
HISTORICAL
ARCHAEOLOGY
<[log in to unmask]
>
09/21/2007 09:17
AM MST
Please respond to
HISTORICAL
ARCHAEOLOGY
I usually hate to admit this but Raiders is what lead me to archaeology
too.
I was 12 at the time. The Christmas after its release, I asked my parents
for books on archaeology. Fortunately, they found several good ones for
children. I haven't looked back since. And then in college I found out that
Indy was a grave robber :<
On 9/21/07, Vergil E. Noble <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> The important point to be made here, though, is that the movie inspired
> you
> and others to look further into the subject of archaeology. That's a good
> thing, no matter what one may think about it's portrayal of archaeologist
> Indiana Jones.
>
>
>
>
>
> "Caryn M. Berg"
> <archaeology@LCOAS To:
[log in to unmask]
> TPRESS.COM> cc: (bcc: Vergil
> Noble/MWAC/NPS)
> Sent by: Subject: Better than
> Hollywood's stories.
> HISTORICAL
> ARCHAEOLOGY
> <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
> 09/20/2007 08:40
> PM CST
> Please respond to
> HISTORICAL
> ARCHAEOLOGY
>
>
>
>
>
> My decision to become an archaeologist was coincidentally made around the
> same time Raiders of the Lost Ark released. I wonder how many other
> people
> made the same decision at the same time only to discover that archaeology
> lacks the whip cracking, bullet dodging excitement experienced by Indiana
> Jones? Perhaps they discovered, as I did, that the real story is more
> interesting than the movie.
>
>
>
> New From Left Coast Press, Inc. A 15% discount on web orders at
> www.LCoastPress.com.
>
>
>
> Box Office Archaeology: Refining Hollywood's Portrayals of the Past
>
> Julie M. Schablitsky, editor
>
> Published April 2007, 256 pages, $24.95 paperback
>
>
>
> This book is about the stories behind the Hollywood creations. We are
> drawn
> in by fictional stories about such topics as the demise of the Titanic,
> the
> pillaging of pirates, and the mummies of Egypt. Hollywood brings these
> stories to life in a myriad of ways. Archaeologists and historians know
a
> lot about many of these subjects, digging up stories often more
> fascinating
> than the ones projected on screen. In this book, archaeologists provide
> the
> historical and archaeological depth that a movie cannot--what really
> happened in history.
>
>
>
>
>
> To order, visit our website at
>
> http://www.lcoastpress.com/book.php?id=83
>
> ISBN: 978-1-59874-055-4 (c), 978-1-59874-056-1 (p)
>
>
>
> PRICE:
>
> $24.95 (U.S.), $29.95 (Canadian), £15.99 (Paperback)
>
> $65.00 (U.S.), $78.95 (Canadian), £40.00 (Cloth)
>
> For more information, contact Caryn Berg at [log in to unmask]
>
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