The Origin Of Archeology
Archeology is the science of the discovery and study of the history, culture, and remains of ancient civilizations. Many people shudder at the name of history, partially because of the terrible way in which history is often taught. However, for the initiated and motivated ones, history provides an exciting avenue, rich with knowledge. More so with biblical history and archeology.
Everyone is so familiar with the word “archeology” today that most are under the impression that it is a branch of science that has been developing for centuries, if not millennia. Unfortunately, archeology is a science that has developed properly only in the last 200 years. Material for its development has been lying around for more than 3000 years, ignored, plundered, or even destroyed by greedy, mindless people. For example, during the second world-war, soldiers used carvings on the Behistun Inscription for target-practice, destroying portions of it. Ironically this 100×150 feet rock-carved inscription, situated 300 feet above ground, is one of the most important and key discoveries in Archeology, secular or biblical.
The sheer neglect and destruction [such as using ancient monuments as material for stripping stones and new structures] for millennia has been destroying archeological sites. Added to negligence was human greed and the lure of hidden treasure. People have been using metal coins, precious metals, and precious stones etc. for many thousands of years as a way to store and transport their assets. With banks a recent innovation, many generations in multiple civilizations have been burying their wealth for safe keeping. Also, such riches were routinely buried with the dead in ancient civilizations. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions often buried entire civilizations, along with their precious metals and gems. Often these were forgotten for centuries, or even millennia, only to be unearthed by some unsuspecting soul — who would become rich overnight because up until well into the twentieth century, all countries had the official policy of “finders are keepers”. Thus stories of “hidden treasure” abound in all cultures, and many would look at ancient buildings and structures with an eye only for the possiblity of loot. As a consequence, many monuments and other sites of incredible archeological significance became a paradise for treasure-hunters, and the practice only became more widespread after 1500 AD.
Grave-robbing became an established and common practice, and the unearthed riches often found themselves melted down and/or sold on the black market. Neither the finders nor the keepers ever paused to think about their historical value. Consequently, the grave robbers simply threw away [and destroyed] everything the found worthless for their pursuit. This caused further destruction of precious artifacts and writings, specially the writings found on perishable material.
Then in the middle ages, “medical” quacks began prescribing the ground-up powder of mummies as an important ingredient of “medicines,” and there was a great demand in Europe for mummies from Egypt. This gave further impetus to grave-robbing, establishing an international market for smuggling mummies. On top of this, by 1700, displaying large and beautiful archeological objects in their homes became a status symbol in Europe, further aggravating the mindless plundering of buried ancient civilizations.
Perhaps millions of pieces of precious artifacts, writings, and other useful material were destroyed in this way, or were placed in locations so detached from the original that they became practically useless for a scientific investigation of their history. Yet, from this mindless destruction emerged one of the most fascinating sciences, and that is archeology. Today strict laws control all digging, and the finders are no longer keepers. True, grave-robbing and the black market selling of antiquities goes on even today, but at a much smaller level. [In many parts of the world, getting caught in the act can often cost one’s life]. Archeology has become a more or less mature science. Thousands of museums around the world display ancient objects much more carefully and with proper cataloging than was practiced in the past. Many countries erect museums close to the location of the find, encouraging both tourists as well as scholars to study the objects more objectively, and in thei original context. And in many ways, the results have been gratifying.
Thus archeology is a 200-year old science, that has come about because of thousands of years of grave-robbing, sorcery, buying objects of status, and medical quackery. The results of today’s discoveries are fascinating, inviting more scholars and even amateurs to get involved in digging or studies.