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Finders Keepers: A Tale of Archaeological Plunder and Obsession
by
Craig Childs
To whom does the past belong? Is the archeologist who discovers a lost tomb a sort of hero--or a villain? If someone steals a relic from a museum and returns it to the ruin it came from, is she a thief? Written in his trademark lyrical style, Craig Childs's riveting new book is a ghost story--an intense, impassioned investigation into the nature of the past and the things...more
ebook, 0 pages
Published
August 25th 2010
by Little, Brown and Company
(first published August 6th 2010)
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I'm a huge fan of Childs's writing and his appreciation for nature out in the wild. (This is a guy who's done solo treks out in the desert, just because he thinks it's beautiful out there.) Here he moves onto more controversial territory: rather than admiring the beauty of a jaguar's movements, he muses over archaeological artifacts and the aesthetics, morality, and general confusion involving the finding of them.
So: you find something. It has historical and cultural value. Can you take it? Do y...more
So: you find something. It has historical and cultural value. Can you take it? Do y...more
I liked this book because it brought up a lot of questions I had never thought about - Who "owns" an archaeological artifact? Is it "better" for a low level artifact to be in museum storage, owned by a private collector, or left where it was? What is our goal with archaeology? Is it "better" to spread cultural artifacts around the world for education or to keep artifacts in their cultural context? It was also eye-opening to read about how private demand for artifacts has led to major plundering...more
Jan 05, 2012
Abby
added it
In southwest archaeology circles, I've heard a range of opinions about this Craig Childs fellow. Most recently I heard from an archaeobotanist, "He's not a professional, but he's very sincere and he has a genuine desire to know about the past. When he talks to you, he has these little strips of paper that he takes notes on." Sounds like someone I'd get along with. I like the way he approaches the issue with care and complexity, taking into account the very real emotional side of archaeology. Tr...more
As it turns out, the author’s title is unbelievably appropriate as it describes the essence of the entirety of the book – a personal reaction to the discovery of artifacts.
Childs sets out to describe the history behind humanity’s need to understand its past. He artfully crafts a story based in part on his own personal, and very diverse, travels about the globe. He tells of grand discoveries as often as simple broken pots. Childs successfully creates a sense that each item has a tale to tell and...more
Childs sets out to describe the history behind humanity’s need to understand its past. He artfully crafts a story based in part on his own personal, and very diverse, travels about the globe. He tells of grand discoveries as often as simple broken pots. Childs successfully creates a sense that each item has a tale to tell and...more
In this book, Craig Childs puts on his amateur archaeologist hat and takes the reader along as he explores the different sides of the archaeological ethics debate, "What should happen to artifacts from the past?" The oldest rule is "finders, keepers" which simply means that whoever finds the artifact can decide what to do with it. Childs has done a lot of research and personally visited with professional and amateur archaeologists, museum curators, officials responsible for enforcing various law...more
"Beyond what most people think about archaeology--with its cleanly numbered dates, and discoveries--lies a vibrant and controversial realm of scientists, thieves, and contested land claims.Childs explores the field's transgressions against the cultures it tries to preserve andpauses to ask: To whom does the past belong?"
This jacket review covers it. Craig Childs explores the world of our excitement in finding things and why we keep them. This goes way beyond Indiana Jones and his statement of "T...more
This jacket review covers it. Craig Childs explores the world of our excitement in finding things and why we keep them. This goes way beyond Indiana Jones and his statement of "T...more
Going past the Indiana Jones side of archaeology and relic hunting, Craig Childs dives into the world of ethics behind it all. Now, as a highschool student... I tend to get side tracked easily. As much as its cool to learn people, events, times and places, It is difficult to sit down and read words with no emotion behind them, no excitment. But Childs somehow made boring dates and everyday excavations seem like a whole diffrent world of archaeology then I was originally presented with.
In the bo...more
In the bo...more
A lot of interesting ideas about artifacts, archaeology, museums, collectors, pothunters, etc. A couple disjointed thoughts to follow:
Childs clearly concludes that artifacts should remain where they lie -- out in "the wild" -- generally out of respect for the dead and their things. I buy his analogy between artifacts and corpses, but find his underlying assumptions a little irritating. Why should dead people be held as sacred in the first place? Isn't this question worth exploring?
Childs seems t...more
Childs clearly concludes that artifacts should remain where they lie -- out in "the wild" -- generally out of respect for the dead and their things. I buy his analogy between artifacts and corpses, but find his underlying assumptions a little irritating. Why should dead people be held as sacred in the first place? Isn't this question worth exploring?
Childs seems t...more
Childs explores the motivation and ethics behind archaeology and antiquity collecting, professional and amateur, and probably ends up widening a Pandora's box of fascinating issues by three or four inches. He is as consitent and devoted to his notion of the right thing to do with archaeological relics as it is possible to be, and his reverence of human artifacts is charming and touching. That there are no right answers is apparent, and the start of hours of pleasant contemplation of the curious...more
Craig Childs is one of my favorite nature writers who has lately ventured into archaeological writing. This book is an interesting musing on who owns the past and what should be done with artifacts. His bottom line is we have collected enough, enjoy what we've collected and leave the rest where it is. Being part of the ground is part of it's history and part of our sense of place. He does bring up some interesting ideas and its very readable. More a series of essays than a book. Will be interest...more
I really enjoyed this book; there were a few essays he included that might have been over-the-top, but short enough that it didn't do damage to the over-all effect of the book. Exactly what was the over-all effect of this book? He states is opinion fairly clearly, though even he has some moments when he seems uncertain that what he believes is always the best way. And I did like that; that he could see when that sometimes a different way of doing something might be better. And yes is seemed it w...more
I hate to give this book such a negative review, because it's the exact sort of thing you'd think I would be really into - a dissection of the extraordinarily complicated emotional, financial, cultural and moral issues surrounding the business and science of archaeology. Also, the author tries very hard to treat his subject in a thoughtful manner, and if there's one thing I appreciate in a book, it is thoughtfulness. However, in this author's case, instead of coming across as thoughtful and care...more
This book was engaging and hard to put down at times. That is a major accomplishment for non-fiction that wades into intellectual and philosophical waters.
I was engaged in the book from the beginning, but I connected with Childs on page 151 when I read the words "They're in love, the root and the jar, can't you see?" He was conveying his horrified reaction to the lack of connection that an archeologist showed for the artifact and it's relationship to it's setting. He could have done this in many...more
I was engaged in the book from the beginning, but I connected with Childs on page 151 when I read the words "They're in love, the root and the jar, can't you see?" He was conveying his horrified reaction to the lack of connection that an archeologist showed for the artifact and it's relationship to it's setting. He could have done this in many...more
Oct 27, 2010
Sandy D.
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
anthropology,
history,
non-fiction,
united-states,
middle-east,
africa,
western-u-s,
native-peoples,
archaeology
This is a very interesting and well-written book on archaeology and the ethics of collecting prehistoric artifacts. Childs is pretty even-handed, and delves into the history a bit (especially when it comes to his stomping grounds in the SW US), taking a sympathetic look at the motivations of all concerned: amateurs, professionals, shovel bums and museum curators alike.
Most archaeologists are terrible, awful, very bad writers, and Childs is not. So it is good that he wrote this, even (especially?...more
Most archaeologists are terrible, awful, very bad writers, and Childs is not. So it is good that he wrote this, even (especially?...more
I folded over a lot of corners in this book because there was a story or a quote that I found particularly thought provoking. However, the book quickly becomes very repetitive. He makes his point very early on about how he feels about artifacts, his conflicting thoughts, his ambivalences, etc. Then he continues to belabor that point in between the little vignettes that I think are supposed to help illustrate his thoughts. Even the vignettes start to get repetitive after a while. Also, there is o...more
This book reads like Indiana Jones meets creative nonfiction. It's an extremely persuasive book about the history of humans and how we should (or should not) treat it, that starts by saying that we probably all have our views on artifacts, but that his goal is to help you understand your view and its implications. (Ultimately though, it makes a strong argument about leaving artifacts alone.) I love how it dives into the lives of archaeologists, grave diggers, thieves, collectors, and curators, a...more
Not quite the adventure I was expecting but it did give me pause in regards to finding artifacts and what happens next. The author definitely persuaded me some of the way, in regards to letting things lie. Apparently our museums are stuffed to the brims (in storage) with things that can't always be properly curated or looked after so what's the point of continuing to take things from where they're found? I really like the idea of finding artifacts where they were left.
New age archeology. (Look, but don't touch anything, just leave it there.) Noble sentiments, but with Childs' post- hippie philosophy, the only way you'll ever see any historical artifacts is if you spend your life in a Jeep, and, wherever you finally park, foraging with a toothpick and a paint brush. And even then, all you might find are some broken shards and an arrowhead (if you're lucky,) which artifacts you won't tell anyone about because they might dig them up. The book contains some inter...more
To whom does the past belong? Is the archeologist who discovers a lost tomb a sort of hero--or a villain? If someone steals a relic from a museum and returns it to the ruin it came from, is she a thief? Written in his trademark lyrical style, Craig Childs's riveting new book is a ghost story--an intense, impassioned investigation into the nature of the past and the things we leave behind. We visit lonesome desert canyons and fancy Fifth Avenue art galleries, journey throughout the Americas, Asia...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Just to give context - there's nothing I'd rather do than hike in the desert southwest, searching the ground for something, anything, that connects me to the people who lived there a thousand years ago. So, I've definitely struggled with whether to pick up a sherd or leave it in place. The best thing about this book is that Mr. Childs didn't come up with a black and white answer as to who should own the touchable pieces of our past. Instead, he gave numerous examp...more
Interesting viewpoint on archaeology, and the theft, vandalism, sale, and commodification of history. Definately makes me look at museums in a new light, although I am not sure I am swayed to Childs' viewpoint. After reading the book, I am not even sure what Childs' viewpoint is. This appears to be intentional but I think I would like the authors opinion on what the best practices of archaeology should look like.
Very interesting book about the author's experiences and thoughts about archaeology and the removal of artifacts from sites. He doesn't offer solutions or make sweeping pronouncements but offers provocative ideas from all sides of the issue.
It's well written and gave me a lot to think about. Anyone who has an interest in antiquities would find it worthwhile.
It's well written and gave me a lot to think about. Anyone who has an interest in antiquities would find it worthwhile.
Finders Keepers: A Tale of Archaeological Plunder and Obsession by Craig Childs (Little, Brown & Co. 2010)(930.1) follows the looting of objects from the American West and Europe by looters and hobbyists into the market through the middlemen/buyers and on to their final resting places: museums and private collections. My rating: 6/10, finished 3/20/12.
Pretty decent read - a meditation on some of the mystery and ethics in modern archaeology. It rambles a bit - not much of an arc, but then it's not fiction I suppose. Sort of whetted my appetite for hitting some of the Hohokam/Mogollon cultural sites, but of course he lays a guilt trip on one if you go "digging" for potsherds, etc. Some pretty interesting incidental stories, and like any interesting subculture, it is full of fascinating characters.
I thought I would like this book more than I did. The subject is archeology and what should be done with artifacts that are found. The writing style was interesting, as were the insights into the wild world of buying and selling such things. I fould the authors sanctimonious attitude hard to get past however, so I can't say I enjoyed reading it.
I love books that leave me a little in love and my world view altered. This is that kind of book. The author's bio describes him in part as an adventurer-isn't that awesome? I want to be an adventurer! After reading this I want to pack a water bottle, some protein bars, and a backpack and head to the Four Corners area and do some exploring of my own.
I had not considered how varied and wild the world of archeology really is, until I read this book. The huge debate in their world regarding taking antiquities from their resting place (yes it's plundering, but moves the artifacts to museums, usually, where we can all enjoy and learn from them about the human past). The different kinds of collectors, all the way from heedless diggers with shelves of valuable meso-american jars and tools in their houses to careful, professional archeologists who...more
I expected it to be more "Indiana Jones," talking about finding hidden treasures and leaving them hidden. Instead, the book was an overly preachy take on modern-day amateur archaeologists who are looking for their next Craigslist score. It was informative, but disappointing and dry.
I actually liked this non fiction book. I was made aware of a perspective I hadn't thought much about when it comes to keeping artifacts you find. Not that I've found any.... The author's mantra is, "Let us appreciate all that has been gathered and for the rest, let it lie."
Some interesting personal stories. I like the introspective dialog and descriptions of canyon travels. I thought I was done with this book at several points as the author gets into the dry legal details, but he quickly returned to interesting anecdotes. Who owns this stuff? Good question.
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CRAIG CHILDS is a commentator for NPR's Morning Edition, and his work has appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Men's Journal, Outside, The Sun, and Orion. He has won numerous awards including the 2011 Ellen Meloy Desert Writers Award, 2008 Rowell Award for the Art of Adventure, the 2007 Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award, and the 2003 Spirit of the West Award for his body of work.
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“There are so many of us now that we threaten to devour the world with our touching, starting with the things we adore most. At the same time, we obviously yearn for contact, and I fear what would happen if we were cut off from a distinctive, on-the-ground relationship with the past.”
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Sep 14, 2010 06:58am