Archaeolog

Figure 1 - The van during excavation

Figure 2 – Evidence of a well-maintained vehicle

In late July 2006, archaeologists from the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Bristol with involvement also from Atkins Heritage, embarked on a contemporary archaeology project with a difference. They have been ‘excavating’ an old Ford Transit van, used for field archaeology projects for some years (1991-c.1999) prior to its new life in works and maintenance (c.1999-2005). The object: to see what can be learnt about a very particular and characteristic type of contemporary place, and to establish what archaeologists and archaeology can contribute to understanding the way we (society) and specifically we (as archaeologists) use these places. Archaeologists John Schofield, Cassie Newland and Anna Nilsson, and filmmaker and archaeology and screen media student Greg Bailey have provided the following report:

For nearly half a century, Erich von Däniken has been developing his account of human history. The fantastic thesis he has been suggesting is that extraterrestrials have been visiting our planet during various periods in the past. And that there is evidence, often archaeological evidence, to prove it. Whereas most academic archaeologist tend to write off this stuff without further ado, I prefer to take it seriously for what it is. A very popular idea. Däniken ist one of the most successful non-fiction authors of all times, and still adding new titles to his impressive list.

A recent volume Däniken edited is Jäger verlorenen Wissens. Auf den Spuren einer verbotenen Archäologie (Hunters of lost knowledge. On the tracks of a forbidden archaeology). Here is my review, in German.

A thing.

While browsing the discount shelves at a bookstore in downtown, or rather ‘downcity’ (as the locals call it), Providence yesterday and I came across a peculiarly shaped book stamped:

Hard bound, covered in a grey paper, imprinted with a weave texture to give the appearance of cloth, the book has the dimensions of a brick, 11.1cm X 24.3cm X 5.9cm.

The first page along with each and every one of the next 862 pages contain two images side by side. Following these images are 2 pages containing 12 lines of Chinese followed by 2 pages containing 14 lines of English text, Arial Font. The text is white printed on a black background. The remainder of the work contains a map of Beijing which is then subdivided into a series of 16 maps by day over the following pages. It ends with the publisher’s credits: timezone 8.

The book is a document of Beijing.