Did Jesus Have a Wife?

I recently came across an article in National Geographic magazine that raised the question of Jesus’ possible relationship with Mary Magdalene. Author Daniel Stone opens the article by asking readers “When he lived 2,000 years ago, could Jesus Christ have been married?” By posing a question first, Stone pulls readers in, perhaps even making them question their own religious beliefs. This question is therefore highly controversial, making it a powerful opening line.

Speculation regarding Jesus’ marital status emerged along with a tiny scrap of papyrus covered in Coptic writing (a language that uses Christian symbols). The second paragraph of the article concludes by describing the final sentence written on the papyrus, “And Jesus said, My Wife..." By ending the paragraph in such a dramatic way, the author baits readers into continuing to read. The open-ended sentence creates suspense and heightens reader curiosity. The words “my wife” raise concerns and questions as this contradicts the Catholic belief that Jesus was never married. Such a controversial topic is sure to engage readers.

Photograph courtesy Karen L. King           

The accompanying photograph of the papyrus scrap is simple. The plain white background makes the fraying edges and fading script stand out, accentuating the age of this note.

The article proceeds to describe how King, a Harvard professor, acquired the papyrus script from a private collector who, “for reasons that have not been made public had kept it hidden for several decades.” This sentence seems vague and adds mystery to the article. The words, “hidden for…decades” raise concerns over legitimacy, ownership, and make me question, WHY would someone keep this hidden for so long? Such questions could intrigue readers, making this article

The article uses quotes from different University Professors who discuss the importance of such a find. Bart Ehrman, a religious-studies expert at the University of North Carolina notes that, “if it is what it purports to be, then it's the first of its kind to show up.” A second professor, Additionally, Jitse Dijkstra, “a Coptic and papyrology expert at the University of Ottawa, called the papyrus fragment a ‘major advance.’” In my opinion, using quotes to show “expert opinions” strengthens assertions made by the author and makes the article appear more “legitimate.”

Finally, this article seems to be written in a language that is easy to comprehend and keeps readers interested. By raising controversial issues surrounding religion, providing a photograph to add context and referencing experts in the field, Stone has written a well-crafted, interesting article. This is an article that readers are likely to read in its entirety and then share with a friend.

Stone, Daniel. "Jesus May Have Had a Wife, Ancient Text Suggests." National Geographic 19 Sept. 2012:n. pag. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. <http://http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/09/120919coptic-jesus-christ-wife-papyrus-ancient- world-science/?source=hp_dl1_news_jesus_wife20120920>.

New York City: Archaeology Treasure Trove

Two shots of the interactive map of New York City.

So apparently New York City has a whole lot more to offer than a mean hot dog and subway stench vents. As an article in the New York Times mentioned, a hull of an 18th century ship was found 20-30 feet below street level. The article also included an interactive map (see link) with several other archaeological finds throughout the city. Maybe it's just me, but I've never thought of NYC as a place to search for information on our past. The city is so lively, so bustling, so now. It's easy to forget that underneath the trash and graffiti lies some of our country's most important history. Logically, it's a no-brainer. People have infested NYC for quite some time now, and I use infested because, well, have you ever been there? People constantly leave stuff around, and after fifty years or so, that stuff may become interesting to someone else. I wonder what we could find in Burlington.

Present Day Treasure Hunters

           

  I recently came across an article in Smithsonian Magazine entitled “Secrets of American History.” The title was huge compared to the accompanying article, and a magnifying glass to the left enlarged a few of the letters in the word “History,” as if someone was looking for clues. I decided to check it out as the word “secrets” intrigued me. The first paragraph referenced different codes that had been solved through history, which I found to be a bit monotonous. The second paragraph, however, was a bit more interesting as it announced the beginning of the Smithsonian’s very own puzzle for readers to solve. I thought this was a very good marketing technique as it encourages readers to continue reading and or purchasing each month’s issue in hopes of cracking the puzzle.

The article baits readers by referring to “puzzle-solvers and code breakers [as]…heroes of American history” (39). The word “hero” has deep connotations of patriotism and honor, something that many strive to achieve in America. The use of such powerful and even emotional language moves readers, perhaps creating a sense of nostalgia. Such emotions evoke readers to take part in this “treasure hunt” as they too seek to be heroes of the 21^st century.

Also, it is often a common assumption that all archaeologists do is search for treasure that has been hidden away for centuries. This “treasure hunt” hosted by the magazine therefore perpetuates archaeological stereotypes and effectively draws the reader’’s attention. I think it’s safe to say that everyone wants to get in on the action, grab a shovel or next month’s issue of Smithsonian and solve a mystery, find treasure, and have adventures! The Smithsonian therefore uses readers’ need for adventure and mystery to sell magazines.  

In the end this article was an interesting example of how present day archaeological news sources are perpetuating archaeological stereotypes to increase interest and sales.

Image taken from http://www.webquestuk.org.uk/How%20did%20Edith%20Houghland%20die/introduction.htm

"Secrets of American History." Smithsonian Oct. 2012: 39. Web.

Ancient Art

            As our blog has yet to look into art in the ancient world, I was excited when I stumbled upon an article in the New York Times. Author Souren Melikian covers an exhibition of Egyptian art held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in this article. 

I was initially interested in the article because of its unique topic. Over all I think Melikian wrote a very impressive article, but at times the writing appeared, abstract and not cohesive. For instance, after introducing the art show, Melikian begins to describe ancient Egyptian art by saying, “The most startling revelation is the simultaneous existence by the end of the fourth millennium B.C. of pure abstraction, highly stylized figuration and representational art close to nature” (1). Although this sentence is interesting and certainly describes Egyptian art in a powerful way, it also seems a bit long and convoluted. I am all for grandiose descriptions but this sentence appears confusing. By using such words as “abstraction…stylized figuration and representational art,” the author brings three different styles of art into the article that many readers (such as myself) may not be familiar with. To help combat confusion, I think the author should have explained these styles, given examples, and or provided visual representations.

However, the author did provide a few photographs of some of the art that was showcased, which I found to be interesting and added strength to the article. 

Melikian continues to explain some of the other pieces of artwork that were at the show, “a stone jar carved between 3650 and 3300 B.C. displays a stunning aptitude at reducing animal form to near abstraction, with a surreal twist that anticipates 20th-century avant-garde art” (1). I found this quote to be quite powerful and intriguing as it is suggestive of the styles of art in ancient Egypt. By saying that this jar’s style “anticipates 20^th-century avant-garde art,” Melikian seamlessly connects the ancient world to the present time period, making the art she saw more tangible to readers. The author does this again when describing another jar; “a small squat jar designed like a turtle looking up with its round eyes beats Walt Disney cartoons by a long chalk” (1). This line was extremely well-written again as it connects what could have been an abstract description of an ancient artifact into an understandable connection. Who has never seen a Disney movie? Almost no one, making this connection very strong, and providing readers with an easy visualization of what this jar may look like.

This article was interesting and well-written and one that I would recommend reading.

Neanderthals More Human Than We Perceived

In recent news, National Geographic posted an article online titled "Neanderthals... They're Just Like Us?" Apparently there is more DNA evidence that proves that traces of Neanderthal DNA is present  in modern-day humans.

Neanderthals have been perceived as being unintelligent cavemen with unibrows, hairy bodies and protruding jaws for a long time. It is generally accepted that present-day humans are not descendants of Neanderthals. These beliefs are being questioned now because of new DNA evidence.

To show the possible "human-ness" of Neanderthals, National Geographic conveniently include a photo of "Wilma," a DNA-based reconstruction of a Neanderthal in the article. Wilma is a redhead with freckles and fair skin. Today, people would call her a ginger or a redhead. 

Although she is portrayed as dirty and sad or unhappy, she has a very human face that people can connect with. It is much easier to see her as being a modern-day human than previous photos of stereotypical Neanderthals who look hairier, dirtier, and more wild (refer to photo below from the BBC). In the reconstruction, Wilma shows human emotion and they show her as having dirt on her face and in her hair. But, if she were cleaned up and smiled, it would be even easier to pass her off as a modern human. Her human-ness would not be questioned at all.

This article just shows that when they need or want to, the news uses photos that help tell their story. You cannot always trust what you see in their photographs (and in the articles) because they have manipulated it to tell you what they want you to think and take away from the article. If this had been an article about something different, like how another Neanderthal skeleton or weapon had been found, the news would present us with a picture of a stereotypical Neanderthal. It would confuse us to see such a human Neanderthal in just any random article. But it would get readers' attention since the typical Neanderthal looks more like the one from the BBC photo.

The man from the BBC photo has physical features that are more pronounced. The lips are big and protrude away from his face, he has a unibrow, unkept hair, and an angry or mean facial expression. Even his clothes look harsher and more animalistic. Wilma has on soft brown cloth whereas he is wearing animal hide and fur. He looks more like a relative of the primate family than the Homo sapiens family.

In further analysis of the photo, I actually found that National Geographic actually recycled the photo of Wilma because she fits the more human side of Neanderthals. Wilma was originally created by National Geographic in an article from 2008 as the first model created by findings from a Neanderthal. They analyzed DNA from the bones to figure out what she should look like.

It is curious how the topic of Neanderthals looking more human is not a new concept, but four years later, National Geographic  is discussing it again and showing the same exact picture of Wilma. In fact, there is a amount of recycling of this image, which is about four years old.

This just further emphasizes that had it not been an article about how human Neanderthals actually are, the second image, from the BBC, would have been used instead of this one of Wilma. Editors pick photos to be published that help complete a story. A picture is not picked without great thought and careful consideration for its value to the telling of a story.

“Cultural Journeys”

As the Mayan Civilization is often connected with archaeology, I decided to examine an ad I found in Smithsonian that offered a trip to “Ancient Maya.” 

This ad specifically offers a trip to Guatemala but pulls readers in by connecting Guatemala to the Mayan Civilization. In the first paragraph, the author claims that Guatemala is “the heart of the Mayan World and the country where the Maya civilization reached its maximum splendor”. Such words as “heart,” and “splendor,” are grandiose and glamorize Guatemala, making it seem like a very powerful and magical place. Such exaggerated language is used to get readers' attention and spark curiosity. Glamorous language is almost always a media technique used to attract readers.

Timing is another media technique used in this ad to catch readers’ attention. In December 2012, the Mayan calendar is said to end, leaving many questioning what is to come. The ad has therefore capitalized on this current “hot topic” by urging readers to “experience the culmination of the Maya calendar.” Such a suggestion is enticing to readers as so many have wondered or heard about the ending of the Maya calendar. Therefore, this ad successfully uses timing to lure readers in.

            
Finally, this ad showcases a dark photograph of the sun setting over what is assumed to be Mayan ruins cast in shadow. The warm yellow light juxtaposing the dark ruins and rising fog suggest that the author is using the media technique of nostalgia to draw readers in. The light is romantic and the comfort of the photograph draws readers in, reminding them of more simple times. Influenced by nostalgia, readers may be more likely to investigate this trip further.

Cultural Journeys, Guatemala. Advertisement. Smithsonian Oct. 2012: 55. Print.

"Authentic Ancient Artifacts and Coins"?

So while reading Smithsonian recently, I came across an ad for "Authentic Ancient Artifacts and Coins" for sale through the Sadigh Gallery (www.sadighgallery.com). Naturally I was intrigued as to how a private company could sell these ancient artifacts.

I decided to to a little research into the company and found that all of their antiquities seem to be original and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. Of course, I was a little curious about how they're getting these wonderful treasures. Since they have a number listed on the website, I decided to call and ask, pretending to be interested in one of their products. When I asked how a Greek silver drachma coin was obtained, the man gave me a vague answer saying, "they all come with a Certificate of Authenticity and lots of historical background".

Great. That answers the question... not. Sounds to me like looting or theft, though I certainly wouldn't be able to prove anything. Ads like this for ancient antiquities are... well, I don't even know if there's a word for them. It's just really interesting that there's probably a large number of people who will purchase these artifacts (which are likely authentic, as they claim to be) don't know about their origins. Sure, they're getting a Certificate of Authenticity, but who is authenticating this? The Sadigh Gallery? Because that would definitely make it legit.

It just seems shady, the whole operation, from the ads in a magazine to the evasive phone call. My verdict is that they're probably authentic but looted.

Times Ain't Got Time

During class, we talk a lot about how archaeology is both intended on being portrayed, and how it's actually received. Is the dog in that picture a symbol of something else? Is the fact that the white guy is kneeling roughly a foot above the black guy a commentary on race in the archaeological field? Sometimes it's tough to discern what's intentional and what's not.

One thing present in almost every archaeological photograph, that everyone can agree on, is dirt. Look at all these guys, scrounging around in the dust looking for pottery shards and whatnot. As we've also discussed, website appearance is very important, especially because of how it may attract people to the field of archaeology. An engaging picture can really make or break a website.

While browsing through The New York Times' website's archaeology articles, I couldn't help notice the main photograph encompassing the whole section: a bunch of people in wide-brimmed hats, backs to the camera, in a big ol' pile of dirt. The Times seemed to really be sending a message: regardless of what you make of their findings, the pictures, the discoveries, whatever, the people down there in the dirt are busy, and they don't have time to be worried about what you think. Archaeology is a very take-it-or-leave-it kind of field, and the Times does a great job of encapsulating that.