Archaeology & Digging up the Past...do you agree?
By samsonskola
@samsonskola (3357)
United States
December 26, 2006 5:45pm CST
What is your opinion of archaeologists digging up ancient burial sites? They are actually just digging up graves. So what is the difference with them digging up the graves of ancient peoples and going to the nearest cemetary and digging up our relatives? Would you want someone someday digging up a member of your family to find out what they ate, what their culture was and how they were prepared for burial? I'm interested in your views on this.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@nancygibson (3736)
• France
4 Jan 07
I trained as an archaeologist and the thing to remember is that excavation is a last resort. Archaologists will only ever dig a site if there is no other way of finding the information that it contains, and the regulations and ethical guidelines concerning the careful handling of human remains are exceptionally strict and carefully enforced. There is a massive amount of respect involved in the handling of human remians on a dig
@samsonskola (3357)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I am very glad to hear that...thank you for such valuable information, it does ease my mind a bit.
@littlefranciscan (18327)
• United States
27 Dec 06
I agree..and someday 2000 years from now..some people will be digging up our graves to get some clue into our lifestyles!
@samsonskola (3357)
• United States
27 Dec 06
yes they will...i really don't think i want my grave to be violated that way..thank you for responding
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
26 Dec 06
I have mixed views on the subject, depending on the purpose of the excavation.
Many tombs and burial chambers have been opened in the hope of a greater understanding of earlier civilisations and a better understanding of history. I have no problem with this.
However, far too many have been desecrated purely for the artifacts and treasures that are buried there, which is without doubt a totally immoral reason.
It is amazing that society views an archeologist highly, but has a very poor opinion of a grave robber. Does time alone really justify the difference?
@samsonskola (3357)
• United States
27 Dec 06
yes, it's amazing where that fine line falls. I have no problem with excavating cities and surrounding areas for this better understanding, i do have a problem with actual graves being desecrated in the name of history. I wouldn't want someone digging up my grandmother just to see what her diet was like! Personally, i don't see a justification in this. Thank you so much for your response.
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
30 Mar 16
Archaeology is more than digging up graves. They also find artifacts and cooking utensils, coins and ancient writings, ruins of ancient buildings and temples and many other things.
