What?!? I'd have thought the destructive process started long ago: there is
a very long tradition in erasing evidence of native achievements (trying to
argue all those mounds & things had been built by Druids, Welsh, Vikings,
lost tribes of Israelites, etc.), trying to make slavery/the antebellum
South look romantic, whitewashing a history of invasions in places like the
Philippines, various parts of New/Mexico, Cuba, Honduras, etc., etc., etc.,
and I am surprised that a historical archaeologist, of all people, is
apparently unaware of the political dimensions of our work (i.e. sending it
all down the memory hole: there are reasons why Orwell invoked recycled
monuments & geological remains in "1984")
You should also be aware that not everyone who subscribes to this list is a
US-American, & some of us do sometimes get a little tired of traces of
cultural hegemony ("this great country," "historical archaeology begins at
1492")
-----Original Message-----
Isn't it interesting to note the trend in modern
circles to destroy or discourage the preservation
of all the historical ties to America and its
basic foundations upon which this great country was formed.
BUT
It sure is rushing forward to promote social
welfare of the masses, political correctness and
the balancing of society at everyone's individual expense.
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