Science has given humanity many gifts over the centuries. Denying that fundamental truth is like cutting out a piece of our souls and banishing it to oblivion to suffer a tragic death, yet many continue to criticize it.
I like to say that science isn’t what you know—it’s what you don’t. To put a finer point on it, science uses what we know as established theory to ask questions on a mystery. To bash or deny science is a fallacy that weakens our understanding of the world.
The idea of science is a broad, catch-all approach to using reason and deduction to pose questions, attempt to answer those queries with research, and then devise theory from the results when enough peers agree. There are many specialized areas of study, and not all specialists are entirely familiar with things not in their field. We wouldn’t expect an astrophysicist, for example, to put forth explanations on the fall of the Egyptian empire. We can depend on archaeologists for that.
I am particularly fond of watching archaeological documentaries in order to glean a basic understanding of concepts I wish I had learned many years ago. While much of the content is presented as absolutely true, what we do know about ancient civilizations remains understandably spotty. Watching with an eye for detail and listing to reasoning, I attempt to assemble my own opinion of events. Without listening, I can only offer half-baked ‘theories’ with no basis on truth or research.
The factuality or reliability of archaeology aside, I seek to shine a light on ethical questions related to the study today.
In the news this week, archaeologists have identified a mass grave in Egypt a few miles away from the Great Pyramids of Giza. A team has been assembled to carefully excavate the site to shed greater light on one of humankind’s most fascinating societies.
Popular opinion likens the dig to contempt for the dead, who only wish to rest in peace. Observers posit that disturbing these grave sites does little to advance human knowledge and only seeks to disrespect the countless descendants of the dead.
Others point out that we don’t know what lies with the bodies in these tombs. Fears of another pandemic or viral outbreak abound.
Virologists say that a virus needs a wealth of hosts to effectively reproduce and spread. With a lack of potential hosts, the virus will die out. How would we expect a virus to survive more than four thousand years sealed inside a tomb? Microbes would likely not last long in such harsh conditions, either, and the lack of sunlight should restrict most spores and fungi.
Questioning the ethics of archaeological practice can be useful in determining where we stand on moral ground, whether unfounded or not, and is generally an acceptable position.
Dismissing the study as ‘grave robbing’ serves us poorly. There is a world of difference between digging up a grave in hopes of turning a profit with stolen loot and attempting to learn something about ancient civilizations.
Looking backward can sometimes help press us forward.
Suppose that lurking one of the graves about to be unearthed is a marvel unbeknownst to modern medicine. What can the mummification practices of the ancient Egyptians tell us about our own practices? Could the mummies reveal the answer to mysteries so deep we can barely fathom them? Would the practice of unearthing these graves remain moral malpractice if it led us to a cure for cancer?
Author Nathan Myhrvold summed up archeology when he noted that “…archaeology gives us an opportunity to study past civilizations, and see where they succeeded and where the failed.”
Perhaps we can prevent our own demise by learning what brought the Egyptian empire to its knees.
Humans are predisposed to learning about those who came before. In that regard, is genealogy that ethically different from archaeology? Instead of sarcophagi and canopic jars, we uncover diaries, memoires, and personal effects to gain an understanding about the lives of our predecessors. Said learning is a valuable tool to apply to our existence, and many religions tirelessly promote its practice.
Said author and philosopher Matshona Dhliwayo, “Your ancestors are a ladder; upon them climb.”
Through the study of the dearly departed, we can dramatically improve our lives. “A plant,” Dhliwayo said, “does not bear fruit without its stem.”
Archaeology and genealogy can provide us a roadmap to our future and help us plot the course. Dhliwayo opined that, “If you know where you are from, it will be harder to stop you where you are going.”
Learning about our world, our place in the cosmos, and the peoples who lived long ago can be an invaluable resource. Archaeologists use good faith to protect what they have found so that we can preserve the lasting memories and numerous stories ancient people have left for us. Without these dedicated scientists, these stories can be lost forever as real looters plunder and destroy ancient grave sites to make a dirty dollar. I can think of no better use for history than to preserve and learn from it in an ethically and morally sound manner.