The Real Impacts of Archaeology on Native Americans: Ep 7 of Crash Course Native American History
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Date: 2025-07-20
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Comments and reviews: 20
hawkatsea
can't wait for the next ep! Particularly I'm curious about the recent and growing trend in the life/earth-sciences community of offering acknowledgments of first nations current or historical custody of the locations studied (esp. Canada, esp-esp. gov't-funded projects. Does it have any effect/benefit, or do indigenous people see it as more a self-soothing or virtue-signaling political act Or worse, as pouring salt in a wound Ex: I saw a presentation about invasive fish in agricultural waterways; the presenter acknowledged (and thanked) a particular tribe as the traditional stewards of the now industrial-aqua/agriculture region. She'd clearly never had any interaction whatsoever with said tribe (much less asked for permission or insights) as they'd probably have more to say about the subject of invasive species lol. The whole thing just felt embarrassing, and that's just one example of the trend. It seems to come from a good place, but is the effort misplaced, and where do ecologists/biologists go from here
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can't wait for the next ep! Particularly I'm curious about the recent and growing trend in the life/earth-sciences community of offering acknowledgments of first nations current or historical custody of the locations studied (esp. Canada, esp-esp. gov't-funded projects. Does it have any effect/benefit, or do indigenous people see it as more a self-soothing or virtue-signaling political act Or worse, as pouring salt in a wound Ex: I saw a presentation about invasive fish in agricultural waterways; the presenter acknowledged (and thanked) a particular tribe as the traditional stewards of the now industrial-aqua/agriculture region. She'd clearly never had any interaction whatsoever with said tribe (much less asked for permission or insights) as they'd probably have more to say about the subject of invasive species lol. The whole thing just felt embarrassing, and that's just one example of the trend. It seems to come from a good place, but is the effort misplaced, and where do ecologists/biologists go from here
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emilyk4821
I was very lucky to live in an Alaskan village for 4 months while I was in college. I was welcomed in to see their beautiful culture directly from Alaskan natives, and not from outsiders talking about it. Currently close to that village they have an archaeology site with a few skeleton remains, but once the excavation is complete the remains will be returned to the local native council to receive a proper burial. They have incorporated the council throughout the research and the local school had been involved as well. I'm happy this discovery was turned into a way for them to learn more of their ancestors. In the past it would have been done is a very exploitive way. It's very possible some of the natives still living there are descendants of those found at the site, so I'm glad it's being used to enrich their history and not erase it
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I was very lucky to live in an Alaskan village for 4 months while I was in college. I was welcomed in to see their beautiful culture directly from Alaskan natives, and not from outsiders talking about it. Currently close to that village they have an archaeology site with a few skeleton remains, but once the excavation is complete the remains will be returned to the local native council to receive a proper burial. They have incorporated the council throughout the research and the local school had been involved as well. I'm happy this discovery was turned into a way for them to learn more of their ancestors. In the past it would have been done is a very exploitive way. It's very possible some of the natives still living there are descendants of those found at the site, so I'm glad it's being used to enrich their history and not erase it
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chaeburger
I'm a person who has spent their academic and professional career in the fields of prehistoric archaeology and museum studies. In my last role before my grant funding ran out (booooo, I helped facilitate repatriation under NAGPRA at the university museum I worked for. It was by far the most important work I've done. I feel it is our responsibility as archaeologists and ethical stewards to work to undo the centuries of scientific racism (and regular racism) that was done by those who came before us. I think it's incredibly important to do that by de-centering ourselves and supporting indigenous communities. NAGPRA is a good start, but it doesn't go far enough. If it were up to me, I'd give so much more back. I'd leave it up to the Tribes. Collections made up of plundered loot are not worth keeping, ethically.
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I'm a person who has spent their academic and professional career in the fields of prehistoric archaeology and museum studies. In my last role before my grant funding ran out (booooo, I helped facilitate repatriation under NAGPRA at the university museum I worked for. It was by far the most important work I've done. I feel it is our responsibility as archaeologists and ethical stewards to work to undo the centuries of scientific racism (and regular racism) that was done by those who came before us. I think it's incredibly important to do that by de-centering ourselves and supporting indigenous communities. NAGPRA is a good start, but it doesn't go far enough. If it were up to me, I'd give so much more back. I'd leave it up to the Tribes. Collections made up of plundered loot are not worth keeping, ethically.
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crash_course
Ancient Americas said in one of his videos that if you remove an artifact from its context, it loses at least 90% of its educational value. You can lose a lot of clues about its age, use case, perceived value of its original owners, etc. so it's insane to me that this is precisely what so-called archaeologists were doing for hundreds of years. Why wouldnt an academic worth their salt at least consult the people closest to, if not the direct descendants of, the very people they are studying It is way too generous to call them archaeologists at all. They were treasure hunters and graverobbers looking for a talking piece for their next dinner party.
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Ancient Americas said in one of his videos that if you remove an artifact from its context, it loses at least 90% of its educational value. You can lose a lot of clues about its age, use case, perceived value of its original owners, etc. so it's insane to me that this is precisely what so-called archaeologists were doing for hundreds of years. Why wouldnt an academic worth their salt at least consult the people closest to, if not the direct descendants of, the very people they are studying It is way too generous to call them archaeologists at all. They were treasure hunters and graverobbers looking for a talking piece for their next dinner party.
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c-allanwats4239
I love this episode. I work in crm in canada, i am constantly faced with the balence between excavation and clearwnce, but i feel like my job is important, even though i dont know my heritage it is amazing to see and feel connected to what the ancestors left behing. My field has and still has issues, but by moving forward from the proper perspective i feel that it will better showcase the adabtibiliry and inginuity of those who have called the content home since time in memorium. I always love learning more about turtle island and i hope the truthe if the turtle will carr forewards for many generations to be inspired and learn
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I love this episode. I work in crm in canada, i am constantly faced with the balence between excavation and clearwnce, but i feel like my job is important, even though i dont know my heritage it is amazing to see and feel connected to what the ancestors left behing. My field has and still has issues, but by moving forward from the proper perspective i feel that it will better showcase the adabtibiliry and inginuity of those who have called the content home since time in memorium. I always love learning more about turtle island and i hope the truthe if the turtle will carr forewards for many generations to be inspired and learn
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Top10Globally1
This episode is a powerful reminder that studying history isn't neutralit's shaped by who tells it and how they treat the people involved. I'm grateful this episode sheds light on a painful but important part of Native history that too often gets ignored in mainstream education. It's heartbreaking to learn about how Indigenous ancestors were treated as artifacts, not people. Thank you for addressing this with care and respect. This episode should be required viewing in every anthropology and archaeology course. Understanding the harm is the first step to doing better.
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This episode is a powerful reminder that studying history isn't neutralit's shaped by who tells it and how they treat the people involved. I'm grateful this episode sheds light on a painful but important part of Native history that too often gets ignored in mainstream education. It's heartbreaking to learn about how Indigenous ancestors were treated as artifacts, not people. Thank you for addressing this with care and respect. This episode should be required viewing in every anthropology and archaeology course. Understanding the harm is the first step to doing better.
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lilpsyche6971
Near where I live there's a native ruin. It was a living spot as well as a place to trade for people who came over the mountains. Well at some point it was left uninhabited and the settlers who came across it later desecrated the site. Trying to rebuild it with surrounding rocks and plaster to make a tourist trap. Ofc it's protected now, but settlers were the worst.
Edit: Just remembered there's also 2 skeletons that were taken from the site and given to the Smithsonian. To my knowledge they still have them.
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Near where I live there's a native ruin. It was a living spot as well as a place to trade for people who came over the mountains. Well at some point it was left uninhabited and the settlers who came across it later desecrated the site. Trying to rebuild it with surrounding rocks and plaster to make a tourist trap. Ofc it's protected now, but settlers were the worst.
Edit: Just remembered there's also 2 skeletons that were taken from the site and given to the Smithsonian. To my knowledge they still have them.
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crash_course
I'm going into my 3rd year for my anthropology degree. I also was apart of a 13 year long excavation project with my reserve here in my part of Canada. Archaeology in ways has changed quite a bit from those early treasure hunting people. A lot more has to change, but I'm happy learning what I have learned so far. I liked what was shared at 10: 07. And it is totally true, I've seen and been apart of that here with the my professor and friends I've made with The University of Montana.
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I'm going into my 3rd year for my anthropology degree. I also was apart of a 13 year long excavation project with my reserve here in my part of Canada. Archaeology in ways has changed quite a bit from those early treasure hunting people. A lot more has to change, but I'm happy learning what I have learned so far. I liked what was shared at 10: 07. And it is totally true, I've seen and been apart of that here with the my professor and friends I've made with The University of Montana.
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gee8419
White man has tens of thousands of white peoples skulls and skeletons in his possession for research: most unhinged grave robber who has ever existed
White man has tens of thousands of indigenous skulls and skeletons in his possession for research: genius groundbreaking scientist, wealth and accolades, generationally beloved
Thank you for sharing this information. I knew some of it but the depths of depravity are bottomless.
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White man has tens of thousands of white peoples skulls and skeletons in his possession for research: most unhinged grave robber who has ever existed
White man has tens of thousands of indigenous skulls and skeletons in his possession for research: genius groundbreaking scientist, wealth and accolades, generationally beloved
Thank you for sharing this information. I knew some of it but the depths of depravity are bottomless.
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autiejedi5857
In my state growing up we went on a field trip to a local burial site that had Native remains left in place, open with the bones covered in shellac to preserve them. A building was set up over them and there was a fee to come in and gawk. It even had a gift shop
So, so glad they finally covered them up with a Native ceremony and have finally left them in peace.
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In my state growing up we went on a field trip to a local burial site that had Native remains left in place, open with the bones covered in shellac to preserve them. A building was set up over them and there was a fee to come in and gawk. It even had a gift shop
So, so glad they finally covered them up with a Native ceremony and have finally left them in peace.
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joshuawells835
This issue reminds me of the Walker, Texas Ranger season 3 episode, On Sacred Ground, in which Walker, the son of a Cherokee father and Irish mother, must walk the fine line between two worlds as a group of Cherokee youth, led by his blood brother's son, raid a museum that had bought Native American artifacts from an operation of grave robbers.
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This issue reminds me of the Walker, Texas Ranger season 3 episode, On Sacred Ground, in which Walker, the son of a Cherokee father and Irish mother, must walk the fine line between two worlds as a group of Cherokee youth, led by his blood brother's son, raid a museum that had bought Native American artifacts from an operation of grave robbers.
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kagetsu13
I really don’t get why museums don’t make fake copies of artifacts and give back the real stuff to where they belong. Visitors don’t care if it’s real or not so long as they’ve something to look at while the guide prattles on. It also legitimizes forgery, making it not a problem cuz no one would care at that point.
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I really don’t get why museums don’t make fake copies of artifacts and give back the real stuff to where they belong. Visitors don’t care if it’s real or not so long as they’ve something to look at while the guide prattles on. It also legitimizes forgery, making it not a problem cuz no one would care at that point.
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susanbass216
I can't express enough just how grateful I am that the folks at Crash Course are putting out these videos. Especially right now, it's just so essential to continue sharing true history. The whole, messy, emotional tapestry that is human history. Thank you all so much for these amazing videos!
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I can't express enough just how grateful I am that the folks at Crash Course are putting out these videos. Especially right now, it's just so essential to continue sharing true history. The whole, messy, emotional tapestry that is human history. Thank you all so much for these amazing videos!
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JurassicLion2049
Even 9 years ago when I was in archaeology (like the one Native kid in my class) we were taught essentially ethical archaeology. How to do better by indigenous peoples & essentially have cultural cooperation. For us specifically it was Native Americans as thats our region.
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Even 9 years ago when I was in archaeology (like the one Native kid in my class) we were taught essentially ethical archaeology. How to do better by indigenous peoples & essentially have cultural cooperation. For us specifically it was Native Americans as thats our region.
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mountainhobbit1971
as a non-native north american living on Turtle Island (who never keeps any artifacts) this is the video I wish everyone who does would watch. I hope to show this to the middle school teens I teach in hopes it plants some necessary seeds. Thank you.
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as a non-native north american living on Turtle Island (who never keeps any artifacts) this is the video I wish everyone who does would watch. I hope to show this to the middle school teens I teach in hopes it plants some necessary seeds. Thank you.
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J. C_Hong
My father collects native American artifacts from local fields. Sometimes it boggles my mind that he uses a hundreds year old mortar as a door stop. I'm probably gonna donate everything to the Seneca when the collection falls into my possession.
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My father collects native American artifacts from local fields. Sometimes it boggles my mind that he uses a hundreds year old mortar as a door stop. I'm probably gonna donate everything to the Seneca when the collection falls into my possession.
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thevenator3955
Look up Franz Boas, he was honestly pretty cool, way ahead of his time. He was a major opponent of scientific racism and he pioneered the concept of cultural relativism. He was about as liberal as an 1800s scientist could be lol
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Look up Franz Boas, he was honestly pretty cool, way ahead of his time. He was a major opponent of scientific racism and he pioneered the concept of cultural relativism. He was about as liberal as an 1800s scientist could be lol
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lioelbammalf7483
If you're trying to research how a people are different to you, and I know this is pretty novel, you could talk to the people to find out about their culture.
What did the bodies even tell them
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If you're trying to research how a people are different to you, and I know this is pretty novel, you could talk to the people to find out about their culture.
What did the bodies even tell them
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Fino-m7b
I love this show and I love Che! I am so excited- my jaw dropped FULL GASP when he mentioned in another episode that there would be 24 episodes in this series! How lucky are we!
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I love this show and I love Che! I am so excited- my jaw dropped FULL GASP when he mentioned in another episode that there would be 24 episodes in this series! How lucky are we!
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MxWh1sp3r
A lot of ethical archaeology and NAGPRA is touched in Angeline Boulley's book Warrior Girl Unearthed and it was such a cool read! I'm glad you guys are tackling this issue!
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A lot of ethical archaeology and NAGPRA is touched in Angeline Boulley's book Warrior Girl Unearthed and it was such a cool read! I'm glad you guys are tackling this issue!
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