Apparently internationally well-known Egyptologist, Zahi Hawass, has been fired. Regardless of what you think about his research and his popularization of archaeology, this is a fascinating example of politics in the practice of archaeology. This is actually fairly common and happens in Mexico every now and then. The replacement of the consejo head at the INAH in Mexico was a big issue for those of you who paid attention. We tend to overlook the relationship between archaeologists and political parties in the United States, but it also is common. I worked for a year as a Historic Preservation Planner in the state of Florida's Bureau of Archaeological Research. The head of the Division of Historical Resources was a Republican former roommate of Kathryn Harris, then FL Secretary of State (Remember the 2000 election??). There were some interesting shuffles going on that were connected to politics, nepotism, etc., etc.
Here is the AP story.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_EGYPT_ANTIQUITIES_MINISTER?SITE=TNJAC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2011/07/eqypts-antiquities-boss-is-sacke.html?etoc&elq=9b463e8bbd734dbcb388dcc6ea2a8b3b
No comments:
Post a Comment