Digging Holes in Popular Culture: Archaeology and science fiction edited by Miles Russell, Oxbow, 拢18, ISBN 1842170635
READING this entertaining, if at times annoying, collection of papers I was reminded of Arthur C. Clarke鈥檚 dictum that if a scientist can imagine a future technology, it will happen. If, as several authors argue here, archaeology and science fiction share so much (archaeology, says Lynette Russell of Monash University, 鈥減lays a vital role鈥� in Star Trek), perhaps informed recreations of extinct societies, by definition, were once true. It鈥檚 an idea that would enliven the academic canon.
Editor Miles Russell seems to believe his responsibilities end at stringing together what others have written, leaving us at the mercy of his authors.
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In a short preface, the late Douglas Adams challenges archaeologists to address the claims of fringe colleagues (鈥渁ll the Orion stuff鈥�), though no one takes this up. Three writers鈥擥reg Fewer, Keith Matthews and Vicky Walsh鈥攁rgue convincingly that there should be an extraterrestrial archaeology. They suggest that UNESCO should adopt abandoned spacecraft as World Heritage Sites; the 鈥渟hort life expectancy of technologically advanced societies鈥� means that all we are likely to find of intelligent life are ruins; and archaeologists are best placed to assess claims for Martian pyramids. I鈥檓 ready with my trowel.