Real Archaeologists Don't Wear Fedoras

[Conservative]

Real Archaeologists Don't Wear Fedoras
Neil Asher Silberman, former director of the Ename Center for Public Archaeology and Heritage Presentation in Belgium

Even without a fedora and a bullwhip, Lord Elgin shipped the famous Parthenon marbles home to England, Heinrich Schliemann smuggled away Troy's golden treasures, and Howard Carter managed to spirit away precious artifacts from King Tutankhamen's tomb in Egypt.

That's why I cringe when I see how the fedora, leather jacket and bullwhip have become recognizable international promotional symbols of archaeology. Many archaeologists have enthusiastically embraced the Hollywood fantasy, borrowing a bit of Indiana Jones's mystique for themselves.

hmmm... sound like anyone we know here???

Fantasy can be a guilty pleasure. But don't confuse it with archaeology. And please don't ever ask me about my fedora and bullwhip again.

 

[g5000]

Real archaeologists wear fezzes. Because...

Fezzes are cool.

 

[Conservative]

I wear a Stetson now...

Stetsons are cool.

 

[Rat in the Hat]

Real Archaeologists wear hard hats.

Hard hats are cool!