More fantasy archaeology in the news. Robert Sarmast has modelled underwater topographic data and sees the remains of a city. Sarmast’s Atlantis This underwater geology has been well researched and is understood as volcanic activity ([Link] [Link]). But the pictures have far more rhetorical force. As does Sarmast’s own story of the rogue amateur who…
posts – matters of design
Michael Herzfeld on comparative ethnography
Comparing one society with another Michael Herzfeld was talking today about ethnography, about the centrality of comparison. His latest work is to compare Greece with Italy with Thailand. Michael Herzfeld at Stanford today Many anthropologists have become anxious about the comparative method, because comparing one society with another with the aim of understanding each through…
the database imaginary
– another reason for the importance of categories and databases One of my interests is the way we use databases to organise and administer the collections that are at the core of our archaeological lives. (And have played a crucial role in state society since ancient Mesopotamia.) Databases – sounds dull and tedious? Have a…
body politic and an archaeology of democracy
– some comments on the origins of war The BBC is airing some views about the causes of war and policy in the Middle East. UK | Magazine | Do democracies fight each other? When outlining his vision for peace in the Middle East, President George Bush said “democracies don’t go to war with each…
Media trips – digital trash and garbology
A new blog devoted to remix and sampling – Media trips Here’s an entry of theirs from October 20 – Thanks to Troels (Myrup) for spotting this one.
the patina of preservation
Boonville, northern California. Up for the weekend with Sam and Angie. The general store on the main street – organic produce in the oldest working refrigerators I’ve seen. On the aura of Polaroids and the temporality of color see my blog for 12 September on the physiognomy of nostalgia.