16th May 2005, 12:48 PM
When wondering who "our" meant I was really referring to "cultures" rather than socio-economic groups. Can we really divide humanity up into neatly labelled groups? Even if this was a legitimate philosophy (which I do not believe it is) the groups that are perceived today, or that perceive themselves (not always the same) are not the same as they were in the past. By pretending that they are are we not legitimising those that seek to misuse "archaeology" for theor own political or economic ends? This is of course more of an obvious question in Eurasia - ultimately we are all more or less Eurasians, but have divided up and wandered around a bit throughout human existence in the continent(s). So who owns, say, a kurgan?
The American Indian question is rather different (I am informed btw that the term is now back in favour). Of course there are numerous nations or peoples - but presumably they see us all as Europeans! But there are important archaeological questions to be asked about the peopling of the Americas - it seems very possible that the vernerated ancestors may not be ancestors at all. There is therefore a political motive at work.
I would suggest that I am Eurocentric, or rather culturally, European, because science, or the pusuit of knowledge, is effectively my religion (as well as Tottenham Hotspur...) as opposed to a supernatural mythology.
Then again I wouldn't like to upset anyone...
Today, Bradford. Tomorrow, well, Bradford probably.
The American Indian question is rather different (I am informed btw that the term is now back in favour). Of course there are numerous nations or peoples - but presumably they see us all as Europeans! But there are important archaeological questions to be asked about the peopling of the Americas - it seems very possible that the vernerated ancestors may not be ancestors at all. There is therefore a political motive at work.
I would suggest that I am Eurocentric, or rather culturally, European, because science, or the pusuit of knowledge, is effectively my religion (as well as Tottenham Hotspur...) as opposed to a supernatural mythology.
Then again I wouldn't like to upset anyone...
Today, Bradford. Tomorrow, well, Bradford probably.