6th July 2005, 02:19 PM
Quote:quote: There seems to be a strong sense of roots in archaeology, in America there are more archaeologists in ethnic groups that see themselves as having roots in that country's past, particularly Amerindians (what with it being their country and everything) and Black Americans (having been uprooted to America in the 16th century).
I agree with sea surgeon. There were quite a few Native Canadians in my plains archaeology classes at uni and not one in any of my roman, greek, near-eastern or south american classes. One of my classmates was actually a Cree Medicine Man and he taught us more about the culture through his stories than we could have ever learned in the class just looking at artifacts and making our own interpretations.
The Natives have a great oral tradition, extending back way before the Europeans arrived, which is passed down through the generations and these stories enable us to get a better understanding of features like medicine wheels and burial cairns.
Back to what sea surgeon said, the archaeology is their past. Maybe that is why there are so many of us North Americans digging over here, this is where the majority of our white ancestors came from after all.
ps- not so sure about Amerindians? Where does that come from? Have never, ever heard that term before!