Spooky Archaeology: Myth and the Science of the Past

by Jeb J. Card

Outside of scientific journals, archaeologists are depicted as searching for lost cities and mystical artifacts in news reports, television, video games, and movies like Indiana Jones or The Mummy . This fantastical image has little to do with day-to-day science, yet it is deeply connected to why people are fascinated by the ancient past. By exploring the development of archaeology, this book helps us understand what archaeology is and why it matters.

In Spooky Archaeology author Jeb J. Card follows a trail of clues left by adventurers and professional archaeologists that guides the reader through haunted museums, mysterious hieroglyphic inscriptions, fragments of a lost continent that never existed, and deep into an investigation of magic and murder. Card unveils how and why archaeology continues to mystify and why there is an ongoing fascination with exotic artifacts and eerie practices.

Genres: Archaeology, History, Nonfiction, Science

424 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2018

Reviews

[Sharon A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing else like this text exists, I'm sure. It's an incredibly well-researched, comprehensive look at the "spooky" side of archaeology such as the mummy's curse, witch cults, lost continents, ancient aliens, occultists and more. Invaluable for the student of archaeology to recognize how and why paranormal pseudoarchaeological ideas are so popular in the 21st century. Discussion and analysis of the public fascination with the past infused with mysterious and magical meaning is long overdue.

[Serra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is unsolicited, but Dr. Card is my co-host on the Archaeological Fantasies Podcast.

Dr. Card's 'Spooky Archaeology' is the in-depth look at the origins of the weird and sometimes difficult to understand world of pseudoarchaeology. He takes an exhaustive look at the Victorian Origins of many well known modern fringe beliefs, such as Aincent Aliens, Fairies, and haunted and cursed objects. He ties these back to their apparent sources with well researched, argued, and presented history. Dr. Card's love of these topics is very clear and his commitment to understanding the 'why' and 'where' of pseudoarchaeological beliefs comes through in his writing. Dr. Card is a welcomed addition to the study of pseudoarchaeology and fringe beliefs. This book is a must read for any serious student of archaeology at any level of their career, and is a definite must for anyone who wonders about the beginnings of spooky, weird, supernatural archaeology.

[Antti Ensaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

A treasure trove of interesting information. Still, the book is filled with the "current year" political correctness; that's some 1/3 of each chapter, at the very least. It's quite sad to see someone arguably better positioned to see the follies of different historical epochs using the past as another soap-box for the current elite's ideology.
Here's a party drinking game: one shot for each time he says 'racist' or 'colonial'. The guy uses every phrase out of 3 to virtue signal his status as a tenured professor and part of the current academia.
So the third that remains is really good.

[Santi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, excellent book, full of information and ideas about fringe ideas in archeology, their roots and how they come back over and over again. In addition to documenting multiple instances in which archaeologists connected the paranormal and the occult on one hand and with ancient times remains, Jeb Card offers fascnating reflecitons on the perception of (deep) time, the effects of the professionalization of science and how, in the same way UFOs are the creation of ufologists, fringe ideas about the past are the creation of archaeologist. But for anyone looking to learn about the roots of Lovecraftian fiction, pagan survival theory and lost civilizations, among many others, this is a must.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I saw it sitting on the shelf of my school’s library and scoffed at the title but picked it up anyways. It read like a documentary, very narrative but still educational, a nice light read. It took me about 3-4 hours to finish, a nice break from constant studying.

[Claudie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

The core thesis of this book is that much of the spooky image of archaeology derives from the history, practices, and nature of archaeology itself.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book I started three times because I lost it when I moved. 😂