Archaeologist for Hire posted a really great review of the current state of TV and Archaeology last week, if you have a chance check it out. Some highlights:
It is a universal truth that the state of historically-themed nonfiction television shows is truly abysmal. Perhaps at an all-time low? Depending on the day I’d probably go that far but I’m sure you’re all well aware of the utter crap that is being broadcast and labeled as ‘educational’ or ‘history’. The current state of the History Channel (or as they prefer to be called now, HISTORY) is an embarrassment to anyone who either enjoys history or works in a field that deals with history at any point. Their programming consists of people driving trucks in inclement weather, Americans who live in a variety of different places (swamps, Alaska, Appalachia, etc.) and an unholy number of shows about people who either run pawn shops or want to sell things at a pawn shop….
What’s all this mean? Well, it means that right now the TV-viewing public are being shown a large number of programs that are leading them to believe that history is something to be sold. History is some old crap that’s been sitting in your attic or basement, or it’s a family heirloom that you just don’t want anymore, that you can take to a pawn shop to be sold on- or off- camera depending on where you go….
larry higbee
January 18, 2013
i have spent the last 40 years living in point hope alaska. the ipiutak site is less than 1000yds from my front door. almost all the native people have no idea of what the site is or its historical significance. the location of the ipiutak site will be washed away in the next 20 years. how do i sell the idea of a major dig here. before its to late..