1st February 2012, 11:39 AM
But in almost all of those examples, an archaeologist has made a statement based on evidence, such as, "some of these bones may have cutmarks, which might have a number of explanations". Then the media have picked it up and run a story about cannibalism being widespread in the period or something. I find it hard to blame the archaeologists.
Think I have cross posted with you on this point Tom.
I do have an example of a former 'pseudo' theory which is now fully accepted. Viking settlement of the Americas. here were some wild and wooly references to this in the sagas, but this is only oral evidence, and a bit unrelable. When the Vinland map was 'discovered', this appeared to show Viking settlements in Vinland. This was carbon dated in the '50s and found to be a forgery. However the actual settlements were discovered and excavated in the 60s, confirming the accounts from the sagas.
However, quaitaine, this does not mean that everything is true, just that if the evidence changes you should change your mind. It doesn;t mean that every theory with no evidence should be accepted as true.
Coins? Gravestones? Scientific dating?
Think I have cross posted with you on this point Tom.
I do have an example of a former 'pseudo' theory which is now fully accepted. Viking settlement of the Americas. here were some wild and wooly references to this in the sagas, but this is only oral evidence, and a bit unrelable. When the Vinland map was 'discovered', this appeared to show Viking settlements in Vinland. This was carbon dated in the '50s and found to be a forgery. However the actual settlements were discovered and excavated in the 60s, confirming the accounts from the sagas.
However, quaitaine, this does not mean that everything is true, just that if the evidence changes you should change your mind. It doesn;t mean that every theory with no evidence should be accepted as true.
Quote: I have never seen any item of material culture which can prove conclusivley an exact timeframe and so can never produce evidence why it can't be, only why it may not be.
Coins? Gravestones? Scientific dating?