Archaeology Quotes

“It has been said with some truth that religion is, basically, humankind's attempt to communicate with the weather.”
― Paul G. Bahn, Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction

“Conversely, the degree of territoriality, bitchiness, backstabbing, and vicious infighting for some reason goes way beyond what is normally encountered in other disciplines. If you are planning to enter this field, you need the hide of a rhinoceros.”
― Paul G. Bahn, Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction

“Theory became a personal badge, chosen as one might choose a party or church. It meant enlisting with a group, and theories began to have groupies rather like pop stars do.”
― Paul G. Bahn, Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction

“it is likewise hard to imagine an early farmer announcing to his neighbours: ‘I just want to warn you that, as from the next full moon, I intend to assume the powers of leader, and transform our cosy little segmentary society into a modern, thrusting chiefdom at the cutting edge of progress.”
― Paul G. Bahn, Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction

“It would be ironic for an archaeologist to catch something nasty from the past, perhaps the ultimate in experimental archaeology!”
― Paul G. Bahn, Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction