TED Talks Daily You don't need aliens to make history interesting | Sarah Kurnick
Feb 22, 2021
In this enlightening discussion, anthropological archaeologist Sarah Kurnick, who studies the ancient Maya, tackles the absurd notion that aliens influenced our history. She breaks down how popular myths, like 'aliens built the pyramids,' undermine the incredible achievements of ancient civilizations and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Kurnick advocates for a shift towards more inclusive archaeology, emphasizing accurate historical narratives that engage local communities and challenge pseudo-archaeological claims.
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Plane Conversation
- On a plane, a stranger told Sarah Kurnick, an archaeologist, about aliens establishing Sumerian culture.
- This sparked a discussion about pseudo-archaeology, which makes unproven claims about the past.
Pseudo-archaeology's Harm
- Pseudo-archaeology, while seemingly harmless entertainment, is actually harmful.
- It perpetuates racist and xenophobic ideas about history and different cultures.
Bias in Pseudo-archaeology
- Pseudo-archaeologists often suggest that non-European civilizations needed outside help for their achievements.
- They rarely propose similar theories about European accomplishments, revealing a bias.
