Emily’s Comments (group member since Feb 23, 2013)

Emily’s comments from the Sherd Nerds Unite! group.

Hiking Ruins Seldom Seen, 2nd: A Guide to 36 Sites Across the Southwest


Good or bad? I tend to think this type of book could be really bad for archaeology, as increased visitation to backcountry sites could lead to major damage to architecture and looting of artifacts.

As an archaeologist, I’m always skeptical about books featuring amateur archaeologists/ glorified pot hunters, regardless of the time period. Such books may inspire modern amateurs to go on their own quest for artifacts. In Fay’s novel, Irene is a disgruntled curator in a man’s world (i.e. 1925), who follows the archaeological trends of the time for preservation, which involves stealing artifacts for one’s museum or own collection. Fortunately, attitudes change throughout the book. I was pleasantly surprised by the book’s overall message about protecting antiquities and archaeological sites, as well as the necessity of the indigenous population’s opinion in what happens to the relics of their past. It wasn’t a glorified treasure quest, but a well-written tale of a woman’s quest for a sort of academic revenge to realizing what is actually important. Fay’s various descriptions of Cambodia and China were beautifully detailed, providing a glimpse into a place I’ve never been. I could almost feel the intense humidity of the region. Moreover, I could feel Irene’s building tension towards her fellow travelers and desperation to find her piece of the Khmer.

Book Recommendations!

Hi,

I'm Emily and I'm an archaeologist for a cultural resource management firm. I got interested in learning more about archaeology and the past by reconstructing Utzi's straw cape and face in my 8th grade science class. Also, by being a huge nerd (I was a costumed civil war reenacter). Some of my favorite books:

-Kon Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl: a couple of dudes build a raft to see if they could sail from Peru to Polynesia as the prehistoric Polynesians may have done. Its awesome.
-The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell: a humorous account of the Puritans.
-The Red Tent by Anita Diaman: fictionalized recounting of Dinah, a barely mentioned figure in the Book of Genesis.

So many good books out there!

I am currently reading a fantastic book by Charles C. Mann called '1491.' It goes into the prehistory, archaeology, etc. of pre-contact America, describing the complex civilizations living here. It's way better than 'Guns, Germs, and Steel.' Similar themes, but better writing and more thorough.

Tell us a little about yourself.

-What got you interested in reading about the past?

-Favorite books, either fiction or non-fiction

etc.