Thread by @indyfromspace

There have been many threads on #AncientApocalypse the @netflix series. And, I have a different perspective. Graham Hancock doesn't know how to dig, or run an excavation/survey. It's like saying I cannot do heart surgery. It's just a fact. Not mean. He's not an archaeologist.

That's the core flaw with the series. Aside from great threads that @FlintDibble @jens2go and so many others have done. Why would you listen to someone tell you why archaeologists are ALL WRONG when they cannot run a dig, or have basic expertise to read an excavation report?

Graham may reply to this and say "I never said I was an archaeologist or claimed to be one I am a journalist." OK, if you're not qualified in basic archaeology 101, don't have training and cannot dig, how can you critique the thousands of us who do?

Again and again, Graham makes claims- which, it is his right to do. Do as thou wilt, a la St Augustine. However, he cannot dig/ survey. He hasn't spent decades in the field, being humbled by the complexity of the past. Hancock has an answer for everything. We have questions.

I'm asking his fans, what do you do when you need your car fixed, plumbing done, or god forbid heart surgery? You look at *ratings* + *qualifications* of people who have expertise. You go with people who are the best and who you trust. Why wouldn't you do that with archaeology?

Being trained as an archaeologist takes YEARS. I've worked in 14+ countries across 5 continents on digs/surveys. I'm still learning. I'm humble about what I do not know. Hancock tells you he has all the answers and people like me are 100% wrong. Who would you trust?

Graham, if you read this. Which, I'm sure you will. I'm inviting you to visit me in Egypt. To learn about how we dig, in person. About how hard archaeology is. About the expertise needed. No cameras, no recording. Just, come. You seem like a decent person. I'm lovely.

You've accused us of being a secretive cabal, of being close minded, bitter, angry, mean, a secret society of sorts. We're not! We publish thousands of articles and books and give lectures and write blogs. You don't understand because you cannot dig or run archaeology projects

Should we be open to criticism? You bet. There is SO MUCH that is not OK about archaeology. I spoke about it and published this online, lest anyone accuse me of thinking Archaeology Shall Not Be Touched™️ Bullshit we deserve constant analysis.
medium.com/@sparcak/the-r…

Is it mean or does it show anger to point out that someone isn't qualified to do X? I cannot fix my car or do electrical work. And Hancock says, archaeology has MISSED THE BOAT about post ice age origins of culture. We have not. Read the thousands of excavation reports.

I'm just asking his fans, and Hancock himself, to value people who have dedicated their lives to the study of the past, and who can pick up a single pot sherd, and tell you amazing stories because of their 50 years in the field. That's amazing. That inspires WONDER

What we have in common is a love for the past. That's fantastic. I applaud your passion Graham, and the interest you have inspired amongst your fans. You are a talented writer+ presenter. I hope we can meet at some point. Truly. We'd have a lot to talk about.

When it is One Man Versus The (archaeology) World, and you walk out onto an unexcavated mound, and do not know how to frame and execute a strategy to dig/survey it, be humble about what we know how to do, and what you cannot.

Graham Hancock will never experience the joy of making a true archaeological discovery. No matter what his stans say, I just feel sorry for him, that he will never know the true magic of why we archaeologists keep on keeping on. No fame or $ could ever convince me otherwise

PS Because I know the accusations that will follow "she wants her own TV show/$/is jealous". I've had enough fame already for 100 lifetimes. I have a truly amazing life+ am profoundly blessed. And I get to wake up in Egypt, and DIG (or survey). My god. Lucky me.

Also. I have nothing personal against Graham. Like I said, I am sure we'd really enjoy drinking and sharing war stories. Graham, you up for it?