Stuff You Missed in History Class

Behind the Scenes Minis: Bias 3DS

Oct 17, 2025
Holly and Tracy dive into the biases in archaeological reporting, examining language and publication discrepancies. They discuss how geographic disparities impact research visibility, particularly in Africa. The duo highlights the misuse of archaeology for political narratives and the weaponization of evidence. Shifting gears, they reflect on the Louvre's end of Nintendo 3DS rentals as museum guides, pondering future alternatives like apps and QR codes. Wrapping up, they explore the politics of language, including the evolution of 'woke' and its appropriation.
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INSIGHT

Bias Begins Before Publication

  • Archaeological publication bias begins long before journals, shaped by who gets funding and where research is safe to do.
  • Tracy B. Wilson notes these upstream factors funnel what research exists and what reaches peer-reviewed journals.
INSIGHT

English-Language Gatekeeping

  • Limiting the study to English-language journals skews which archaeology stories get compared to news coverage.
  • Tracy B. Wilson points out translation and access barriers hide research from English-speaking reporters and researchers.
ADVICE

Prioritize Community-Led Research

  • Prioritize collaborative, community-led research when work involves indigenous peoples.
  • Tracy B. Wilson says ask whether living communities were consulted and involved before amplifying a study.
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