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The present
epidemic of flu reminded your writer of a verse he did for a newspaper series on Ozark Folk Medicine. This is being
included herewith. Flu is a miserable situation, but maybe a little bit of humor might help? And there is no law that
says humor can't be included with Medical Anthropology!
A
Prayer for Those with a Virus
I first noticed a little tickle,
That got me in a pickle.
A problem with my noseolla,
That's totally out of controlla
Yes, the drippin' from my sneezer
Has totally fouled up my wheezer.
And, I am using tissues by the boxes.
And sneezin' right out of my sockses.
I ache and I tend to moan
To relieve the misery with a groan
I'm mad at this thing called "viral"
That's got me in a downward spiral!
Not only that, but my fever is roarin'
And to friends and relatives I'm borein'
So, God I fervently ask...
That you perform a much needed task.
Please stop this infernal curse
So I don't have to call on the nurse.
And, I pray on my wobbly kneeses
That you heal my stupid wheezes.
Ron Miller
Note: For any publisher that might want to do a reprint of the above,
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A STORY ABOUT LOVE. Valentine's
Day is getting close, and following is a story about one of the greatest love stories of all time. One might ask, what
has love got to do with anthropology/archaeology? The answer is a lot. Besides "Love makes the world go 'round,"
the anthropologists especially often tell about such subjects as monogomous and polygamus marriage and polyandry. They have
to get into bride prices, matriarchy and patriarchy....and, yes, sometimes there isn't even any love at all. The parents have
arranged the marriage! That is very sad. So, often love itself - romantic love - is often left out of ethnographical
accounts. Your writer believes, especially, after writing the following, that the delicate subject of romantic love
can only be left to the poets. Once, a lady who was a successful writer of romance novels, said, "Ron, you
should get more romance into your writing!!" So, here it is!
A Gem of Love, the Armstrong Browning
Library At Baylor University, Waco, Texas
One of my favorite libraries is the Armstrong Browning Library on the campus of Baylor University, Waco, Texas. This
library is all about the great Victorian poets Elixabeth Barrett ("How do I love thee; let me count the way" from
SONNETS OF THE PORTUGUESE) and Robert Browning ("THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN' for kids and "How They Brought the Good
News of Ghent to Aix."), and the story of their famous romance and marriage.
Also, there is another connected story of how an English Professor, A.J. Armstrong of Baylor tracked down furniture and other
belongings, writings of the poets, including works of other great poets of the age, research papers, and books, thus establishing
the library that has become the greatest repository of Barett and Browning material in the world, a true gem of Love.
I knew none of the above when my Mom Nadine and me took niece Susan Hewlett of Dallas
over to Baylor; we were visiting in Dallas. Her classes were beginning shortly. Her Sister Julie would follow
in a few days. This was our first trip to Baylor. Just before leaving Susan at her dorm she said that we should
visit the Armstrong Browning Library and the habitat that housed the two, live Baylor Bears, mascots of the University.
We had nothing else to do, so first we went to the bear habitat. One of the
big bears picked up its toy, a car tire attached to a long chain, held it out in front of itself with a paw on each edge,
then, horizontally squeezed the tire together to form a figure 8 !!!! I have never seen such a display of
raw power. I thought this demonstration defied the theories and math of Archimedies' lever..."Give me a place to
stand, and I will move the earth with a lever." We may want to revise this one to: "Give me a place to stand,
and a Baylor Bear, and I will move the earth!"
We then
went over to the large Browning Library not far away. A young girl, a student docent, took us around. The most
interesting story began to unfold. In Victorian England there was a young lady, Elizabeth Barrett, a semi-invalid, living
in her parents home in London on Walpole Street (remember the Broadway play and movie "The Rumples of Walpole Street"?
Elizabeth liked to write poetry, and, in fact, was beginning to make a name for herself.
There just happened to be another English poet, with excellent literary prospects himself named Robert Browning. Robert
followed the poetic scene, and he began to notice the works of Elizabeth. Her poems were definitely out of the ordinary.
Robert became intrigued.
Robert arranged to visit Elizabeth.
Romance blossomed. But I must tell you that there was a major roadblock to a serious relationship...Elizabeth's father
who planted himself right in the middle of things as a human "Rock of Gibraltar." He brought new meaning to
"protective father." He forbade any serious relationship between he two...and, moreover, decreed that any
of his children who married would be disnherited!
To add to problems was
Elizabeth's delicate nature. Yet, the two poets were falling deeper in love!
I know the reader has heard of the old saying "Love conquers All." And some would probably argue how urealistic!
However, this is exactly what happened. Love conquered all. What else but "loving dynamite" could overcome
two Rocks of Gibraltars....the protective father and Elizabeth's delicate condition (and with no inheritance). But,
as one of Robert's characters said, "God's in his Heaven, all's right with the world." Yes, it was a romantic
age and there was much romantic poetry, but there is a lot to be said for romance...and love...a true type of love, a mature
type. This had to be on a much higher level than a superficial type of love.
Elizabeth and Robert avoided her father's wrath by eloping, Septermber 12, 1846. But what about Elizabeth being an invalid?
True love overcame. And true God Love had to have been the secret, for after all, the Master Healer of Nazareth, himself,
Jesus, healed every "impossible" case brought before him for three years using this True, Spiritual, God Love...not
any kind of ordinary soap opera type love. They were romantics in a solid way.
The married couple found a home in Florence, Italy, one of the most idyllic, beautiful places on earth. they settled
down to a very happy life. Elizabeth's Sonnets of the Portuguese were published about their love..."How do I love
thee...let me count the ways." They were together for fifteen years when Elizabeth passed away.
The couple had a son named "Pen." He was living in Florence when visited by the English Professor A.J. Armstrong
of Baylor. Armstrong was becoming more and more inerested in the Brownings. When Pen passed away, most of the
Browning items were sold at auction. Armstrong had a formidable task rounding up dispersed items and then finding benefactors
for their purchase. This is a great adventure story all by itself.
All
of the items collected are treasures, however, some of the items are absolutely fantastic. On the second floor I recall
that the Docent pointed out a little tan desk - beautiful in its simplicity - belonging to Elizabeth that gave me goose bumps.
This is the desk where the great poet probably wrote: "How do I love thee, let me count the ways."
Ron Miller
Notes: Thanks to Baylor University's web site, and also
special thanks to Melvin Schuets, Assistant to the Curators, Armstrong Browning Library. Melvin went above and beyond
the call of duty researching Elizabeth's desk and helping in other ways (don't blame him for any mistakes I may have made).
Also thanks to Wikipedia Encyclopedia.
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If any publishers are interested in repinting the above or any works on this site contact Ron for details. Guranteed not to
break the bank:
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WITH OUR GOVERNMENT MEETING IN WASHINGTON, D.C. TO SOLVE
MANY PROBLEMS, WE OFFER A PRAYER FOR THEM. HUMAN THINKING CAN GO ONLY SO FAR. THE ULTIMATE BREAKTHROUGHS HAVE
TO COME WITH THE HELP OF THE ULTIMATE RULER GOD, THE ONE WHO MADE THE PAPER, GOLD, SILVER AND MONEY IN QUESTION...AND
THE ONE WHO CREATED THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO EARN THE MONEY AND GIVE IT AS TAXES. FOLLOWING IS A PRAYER RUN IN OUR
PUBLICATION --- WAS SPECIAL PUBLICATION NO. 25, THE EARLY HISTORY OF MEETINGS AND TRADE SHOWS
:
A MEETING PRAYER
Dear
God, as we begin this meeting, we know that your perfect
intelligence,
harmony and Love are with us.
We
know as your Son has stated: "(You) know
our
needs before we even ask."
We give thanks for all the help you have given us in the past
and for all your good creations.
We
look forward today to this spiritual adventure - a creative
fellowship of God-Love.
We ask for your guidance and blessings in the name of
Jesus of Nazareth.
Amen
RM
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LOSS OF GENERAL NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF.
I was saddened to learn today (Dec. 27, '12) of the passing of General Norman Schwarzkopf of Desert Storm, Desert Shield fame.
I thought I would run here a copy of a newspaper column I wrote about his appearance at a local college November 4th,
1998.
General Schwarzkopf Speaks at C of O.
As we commence Veteran's Homecoming week (leading up to Veterans Day)
here in Branson, Missouri Entertainment Land - I thought I would relay some notes on Gen. Schwarzkopf's recent talk on the
subject of Leadership and Character at nearby College of he Ozarks (Oct. 13). The College, often called: "Hardwork
U" as students work off their tuition at various jobs around campus, is just southwest of Hollister (two miles
from Branson) although their addres is "Point Lookout, MO."
Before the program, you could feel the excitement in the air at the Keeter Field House. First of all, the College has
been excited about launching its new, unique James P. Keeter Center for Character Education, and what a great way to kick
things off - a speech by the leader's leader himself who has made a study of character and leadership, Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf
of Desert Shield/Desert Storm fame. The title of his speech was "Leadership: From the War Room to the Board
Room."
On the wall behind the stage was
a giant reproduction of local artist and entertainment MC Richard Clark's painting "American Highrise," which is
fast becoming the most famous patriotic painting in the country. Recently the painting was used as the cover art for
a local P.O. cancellation. The funds raised were used to buy a van to take local vets to veteteran's hospitals.
The CofO Concert Band, Jazz Band and Chorale and Church Choir
performed. When Linda Jesse was leading the combined Chorale and Concert Band, the General, who was sitting right in
front, turned back toward them and listened with a tear in his eye as they performed some patriotic numbers. These groups
blended together beautifully. This was one of the highlights of the entire evening.
Other highlights included the parade of flags led by the Colonial fife and Drum Corps
of Alton. These young folks, dressed in red, white and blue, Revolutionary War uniforms, played a rousing old marching tune.
A number of awards were given. James P. Keeter and his family
were there and received an award. He is Chairman of the Royal Oak Charcoal Co. and Enterprises. General Terrence
R. Dake, Assistant Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps and a CofO grad received a hearty welcome, as you can well imagine.
Other notables pesent and receiving awards were Edwin J. Feulner,
Jr., The Heritage Foundation, Ron Robinson, Young America's Foundation, Sanford McDonnell, Character Education Partnership,
Arthur J. Schwartz, the John Templeton Foundation, Kenneth Ogden, Focus on the Family Institute, and, of course, Dr. Jerry
C. Davis, President of CofO and Dr. M. Graham Clark, President Emeritus of CofO.
I was also thinking, I'm sure the late Dr. Good, another noted President of CofO (then School of the Ozarks) and his good
friend General Paul Robinette of Mountain Grove, were watching from a cloud.
General Robinette, who had fought the Desert Fox Rommel in North Africa in WWII, became Commandant of the Armor School at
Ft. Knox during the war. He wrote a classic book: "Armour Command." And, of course, General Robinette
was a good friend of the College.
There were many R.O.T.C. students present as well as some military brass. I noticed a number of Ranger and Paratroop
officers looking sharp.
Sometimes
the General spoke slowly and would enunciate carefully, but sometimes his words came out as a burst of machine gun fire.
He told about sending new Second Lieutenants down
to stand in front of a tank and give it orders. It didn't take long for them to learn that the important thing in leadership
is the people in the tank who must be led.
And, the goal of a good leader is to get people to do things that they wouldn't ordinarily want to do.
Also people are not born good leaders but are made.
He capped everything off by telling the following story. He had just received
a star and had been given a job in the Pentagon. To his dismay, his superior officer decided to go on a trip after Schwarzkopf
was there only a month.
Schwarzkopf in a panic
wanted to know how he could handle everything in this big complicated department on such short notice and with so little experience?!
His superior replied, "Rule 13 will go into effect." Schwarzkopf asked, "What is rule 13?"...to
which the superior replied, "Rule 13 is: Take Charge!"
Schwarzkopf also went on to tell about "Rule 14." Rule 14 is: "Do what's right!"
He elaborated by saying that Rule 14 gets into character.
He pointed out that "if you look back at our country's history the past 100 years, that failures in leadership were not
failures in competence, but in character."
He said that if the audience didn't remember any of his other leadership points, at least be sure and remember Rules 13 and
14.
Welcome to all the vets!
RM
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THE DEATHS OF
27 CHILDREN AND 7 ADULTS IN THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, CITY OF NEWTOWN, STATE OF CONNECTICUT, DEC. 14, 2012
Just an hour or so ago there was a prayer vigil held in the
high school for those lost. Numerous clergy were present as was President Obama (evening Dec. 16, 2012). Our prayers
and hearts go out to all. I had been hoping that someone would recite the 23rd Psalm, and sure enough the lady pastor
of the Episcopalian Church did just that...and notice that she did not say one other word. She didn't have to. Nothing
can beat the pure Word of God out of the Scriptures. This is one of your writer's favorite verses. I believe this verse
is the most beautiful piece of poetry there is. The verse is being printed here in memory of all those lost and as a
comfort for their family and friends and all grieving, which has got to be most of the U.S. and probably most of the world:
Psalm
23 from the King James Bible
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me be-
side the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Yea,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they
comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and
I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
.
Jesus was known as the "Comforter." In fact, that is what he called
himself. Anything he said and did in the Scriptures is guaranteed to help in times of trial. And He said "I
will be with thee alway." One can't have any better help right beside them than Jesus of Nazareth the ultimate "Comforter"
and all of His great teachings and insight into everything. After working a number of years on one of our sections here
on the web site ---Spiritual Healing Research Dept. WAS - I am convinced that the ultimate answer to the Devil's work that
we all have just witnessed (and witnessing much more in the global news) and prevent it all in the future is Spiritual
healing using the methods of Jesus. Other methods will help, of course, and prayer will determine which is right, but
Jesus completely removes the cancer. When He heals something, it doesn't return.
Jesus emphatically said that Life (God/Love/Spirit) goes on and on; it's everlasting. Really, our true nature is spiritual
(ref. Genesis, i.e. all of us created in God's image (Spiritual) and "good"). Our good spiritual image is fixed
for all time. The unique special character of all those lost, goes on and on forever. That can't be changed in
any way and is eternal. Jesus was a great student of all this. Even when He was a little kid, His parents found him sitting
in on Bible discussions with learned men, and He loved to study the old scrolls in the Temple and listen to the readings
by the Hebrew Priests. He well knew of all the travails of Moses and his people. He knew that Moses was always totally
fixed on God (Yahweh)...the all and all.
Herr Professor,
Dr. Sigmund Freud, M.D. during World War I, when he was trapped in Vienna, wrote a paper setting forth his theory that
every one harbored a fear of death down deep. However, Jesus of Nazareth almost 2,000 years earlier had spotted the fear
of death factor, but He pointed out the fallicy and stated emphatically: "Death where is thy sting!"
He healed this fear and all fear with spiritual methods. Freud could only treat fear by exposing it. Jesus, on the other hand,
totally vaporized fear, and on top of that explained everything in the whole Truthful picture. It is an interesting side note
that Freud was an Atheist. He didn't explore things far enough. I have a number of sources about all this in the Spiritual
Healing Research Dept. WAS on this web site. Lovingly, Ron Miller,
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SUGGESTIONS FOR STOPPING
TERRORISM
FIRST, SOMETHING FOR CHILDREN AND OTHERS WHO
HAVE WITNESSED BAD SCENES.
I have a great example of how to handle such things ---- the life of
Dr. George Washington Carver. His birthplace National Park is near Diamond, Missouri, not far from our WAS Office.
He was born a slave sometime in the 1860s. When he was just a baby, and suffering from whooping cough, he and his mother
were kidnapped by mean bushwhackers from the Moses Carver farmstead. Moses Carver sent a courageous man to try and find them
down in Arkansas, but he could only find the baby. No one ever found the mother. Carver was a frail little boy,
and nearby Carver Creek became his Natural History laboratory. At age 10 he took off on his own, and attended a small
Lincoln School eight miles from the farmstead. This was his first formal schooling. He stayed with Aunt Mariah a well known
midwife. She gave him a treasured Bible. After a year there he ventured to rough and rugged Ft. Scott, Kansas. There
he witnessed the murder of a man of his own race.
He then ventured to other towns and families. He loved learning and was a little educational Odysseus having many adventures.
He tried to go to college and was accepted by mail, but when he arrived, they shut the door! Finally, he did end up
at what today is Iowa State University. There he studied soils microbiology. When he graduated with a Masters, the famed
visionary of the south Booker T. Washington grabbed him up for his Tuskegee. He had to overcome many problems as the
school was very poor, but eventually Carver helped save the south with agricultural methods. Besides being a creative
scientist he was also a great teacher and also an artist and musician. He became a friend of notables such as Edison
and Ghandhi and icons of government. He had a famous Sunday School Class at Tuskegee and in his 80s was still faithfully reading Aunt
Mariah's Bible. He received many honors including having an atomic submarine named after him.
Your
writer wrote a little book about Carver: The Early Years of Dr. George Washington Carver with Notes on the Boy Carver's Secret
Garden (a WAS Publication).
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A TOUR. Now, join me for a tour of the great laboratory of history/ancient history/including prehistory with much helpful
information about terrorists/tyrants/all kinds of hurtful beasts that The Devil has fashioned to tear down or prevent happy civilizations
of God/Love/ good. You will see two kinds of terrorists - the lone wolf operators...and the leadership types as
Hitler that can mesmerize hordes of terrorist types. Sometimes they are successful; sometimes they fail. They
only fail where the societies they attack are very strong. Ghengis Khan a terrorist leader type and his horde swept
across the Steppes. They would come to cities, and the Elders would come out and try and talk with the Khan. Then, the Khan
would lop off their heads and commence rape and pillaging. So, one lesson learned, talking and appeasement with terrorists
absolutely doesn't work. This has been proven over and over and over in our laboratory of study. Obviously, clearly,
and logically, the terrorists only understand strength. And when dealing with lots of terrorists, one needs lots of strength...the
more the better really. Victims discover that they can't be strong enough, and are always glad for much muscle.
It is important to notice that once a society has been
gobbled up by the terrorist, more than likely they cease to exist. There is no second chance. Their treasured
culture, no matter how good, has been obliterated.
Sometimes the terrorist activity appears within a society. That is as bad as the hordes of Khan. A strong culture
- all elements - is thus a must in this case. "A house divided cannot stand." (Jesus of Nazareth).
Women are often targets of destruction by terrorists. Tyrants have a bad habit of picking on women.. The anthropologists
and sociologists know that the family is the most important group. One could carry the common denominator down to the individual,
and, of course, they are tremendously important in this battle against terrorism. And some do not care about getting married;
they have their own groups...organizations, church, neighborhood and a group of friends. But the family is really the
most important key as it is here that the individual is educated and picks up good character values and learns many other
good things to later help society and have a successful life. Depending on teachers to later on educated the individual in
great family character values is a cop out and not fair to them. Of course, they can help greatly, More than any other time,
in our present war with terrorism, we must not have dissention in the family "platoon." Dissention in the ranks
is a big no no. The terrorists love such dissention. All such fracturing of cultural elements is weakening. And
when you get into it there are many cultural elements that can be fractured and weakened...all perfect setups for domineering
terrorists.
To show the importance of the family in
our battle with terrorism I am including a verse I wrote one time in a newspaper column on the subject: (Note: we don't want
the family to be a hotbed of terrorism...but to help fight terrorism).
THE FAMILY FORCE
If marital strife is booming
as
the cannons of World War I
And
the smiles have all
turned
to frowns
And
there's never any fun.
Don't
forget that fighting
in
the ranks
is
the enemy soldier's
dream.
He's
won the battle with-
out
lifting a finger
He's
got the superior team.
But,
husbands, wives (and kids too)
are
buddies in an "Army" of sort.
enlisting
to fight the REAL enemies of life...
And
shoot OUT of the ole' home fort.
They
will form a family battle plan,
And
fight until they win...
Against
hunger, fear and the elements....
And
sickness and self and sin.
Disciplined soldiers win the fight
They keep going in the midst of hell.
You can knock 'em flat, yet, they get right up
And keep going 'til the winning bell.
And,
who will be the general,
the
leader with the highest star...
to
end all power squabbles
And
to follow into war?
Why,
God, of course, is high Captain.
Who
has never lost a fight
His
grand strategy of powerful Love
has
always proven right.
So, keep the family battle flag high
Salute the sacred group
Never, never accept defeat
And work for a sharp, battle troop.
Yes, armed with powerful Love
Attacking the real enemies of life,
The family will earn many medals and victories
And forget about family strife.
RM
If the families are in good battle mode, and ship
shape, all terrorists must beware!!
CIVILIZATION THE GOAL. Our mission for ridding the planet
of terrorism, school shootings, hitler types, Mid-east mad dog, hyper-aggressives, abuse in homes, crime of all types,
etc., etc......is CIVILIZATION. I'll add to this - complete cultural civilization as some societies call themselves "civilized"
but they still have UNcivilized elements. We have got to go all out for the entire ball of cultural wax! So, COMPLETE
CULTURAL CIVILIZATION is our goal. To even help organize things a little more, we can have three progressive stages of
Civilization as our goals. After achieving each stage we can have a great celebration. Quite an accomplishment!
Certain areas are so toxic that we will have to label them HIGHLY TOXIC....UNCIVILIZED. Put up a big black skull and
crossbones sign at the edge. If it is a toxic area as Chicago, the good citizens will have to get busy quick and clean up
the bad. This will be as in a military platoon...if one person is messing up...make all do pushups. And as usual,
while an area is getting civilized there must be a Town Marshall to keep streets and other areas safe.
WORK AND STUDY NEEDED. It will take much work and study. To help with this mission we must climb our anthropological,
archaeological, sociological, Theological, psychological, medical, nutritional and hundreds of other ological studies ladder.
This is our Team. Good luck! At least we must try.
Also, as we commence Our Team must first borrow the methodology of the old Athenean Aristotle. He and his students
in their school, the Lyceum - just a little way east of the famed Parthenon on The Acropolis in Athens - ran everything through
the scientific wringer. And they didn't settle for just one wringing but would run the problem through again...and maybe even
again. Not all the citizens attended the schools of philosophy in Athens. In fact, most of the Council of 500 didn't attend,
however, a number of leaders of Athens did so. Isocrate's school and the others as well explicitly prepared the young for
leadership. Isocrates's school was more practical. Plato's Academy was more ethereal, although he did dig deeply into
problems "searching for wisdom(philosophy). Aristotle, student of Plato for 20 years carried the "digging"
into full-fledged science.
So, we have
our work cut out for us. And, by the way, speaking of Athens, we will also be borrowing their great invention of Democracy...a
very civilizing device. Individuals whether poor or well to do, began taking responsibility. They were running themselves...and
they respected other individuals, and respected themselves as well. This is extremely important, because we are losing our
great democracy here in the U.S. set up in a great way by our Founding Fathers. Also, by the way, many of our Founders could
read the classic languages and really excavated Athens that contributed many other civilizing high type things, drama, philosophy,
great oratory/debate, literature, math, science, the study of Logic (thanks again to Aristotle), great architecture, painting and
more. Let's look some more at Athens.
In
ancient Athens, the home of democracy, they first had to get rid of the tyrants. Terrorists are really tyrants, and
the U.S. and others are finally getting fed up with these curses of Man and Womankind to the point they want to
take action. The Athenians were also fed up with them. Step to the front and center Theseus the great hero of freedom.
He went around the countryside clobbering all the terrorist-tyrants...roadside robbers, tyranical kings, a horrible Minotaur
guarding a maddening maze, a powerful bull, bad Amazons and more. The Athenians naturally loved this Man-God
for such a great service.
Now, the scene was set for another
great hero of Athens, the genius Solon, who put together a plan for the government of the little city state, a thing called
"Democracy" where the citizens could now govern themselves...now that they had freedom. A people cannot
have democracy unless they have this equally priceless ingredient. So, all tyrants must go in a democracy so everything
can operate efficiently and things can get done and civilization can grow.
And, by the way, not all tyrants are people. Some are organizations or forms of government. Socialism is
a tyrant. Helping fellow citizens is great, but when it becomes a big governmental organization, it becomes as an overgrown
dieing dinosaur crushing the life out of citizens and businesses. Industry and capitalism can become tyrants
if not controlled on a very strong ethical leash...two leashes actually, one of Man laws and one of God laws. The money
machine is great, and helps us greatly, but it must be controlled. The ancient Athenians knew all about necessary
control in a democracy (according to Edith Hamilton). We have to resussitate the citizens of a democracy, so, they can
deal with tyrants and other problems.. They need to get back their creativity and courage to act as true leaders.
The citizens of Athens enthusiastically bought the democracy ideas of
Solon, and Athens was off and running as the first democracy. However, I should qualify this a little. It is possible that
there may have been other democracies that were first, but this will take a lot of archaeological work. For example,
the American Indians had some great democricies such as those of the Iroquois Confederacy of the N/E. And there were some
city states in Africa that need study. But this is another story. Now, fast forward to our present U.S. scene
Yes, again in history we here in the U.S. and elsewhere around the globe are
plagued with tyrant-terrorists of all kinds, shapes and sizes...and we and the rest of the world are getting sick of them.
Without our freedom we can't have our wonderful democracy. We are suffocated; we can't breath free air. The tyrant-terrorists
must go. All of us must become mortal Theseus'. Start printing T-Shirts: "Son and Daughter of Theseus."
And, of course, we must draw on help from God-Love, who can be called the greatest Theseus of all...a great help in the time
of trouble. God/Love, in fact, is the very opposite of evil tyrant-terrorists, and will gladly help us, but only if
we acknowledge His greatness! And, Jesus Himself pointed out that we can only enter the Kingdom of Heaven through Him. Yes,
we have a lot of study to do, although Jesus also said "My yoke is light."
So, God is our best help. His Son Jesus of Nazareth is famous for vaporizing evil wherever He found it. God's
Word the Scriptures are a treasure chest of dealing with "the terror that cometh by night." Moses had to deal with
all kinds of terrorists. Isaiah warned against terrorists. Terrorism surrounded Jesus and His Apostles. The Holy Land
today is crawling with terrorists....all uncivilized. And have you noticed that terrorists in each terrible case of killing,
want to punish someone. But the ultimate control, the Scriptures say: "Vengence is mine sayeth the Lord."
The Word can't be beat. Many have tried. A Baptist minister, Henry Haley pointed out in his Handbook that "Many
hammers of criticism have been worn out on the Ole Anvil (the Bible) down through the ages, yet, the Bible goes right
on helping people."
Here at the WAS we are
familiar with biblical archaeology, which is very helpful in illucidating this Word. Therefore put Theology
along with biblical archaeology (and all kinds of archaeology at that) at the top of our help list. This is not as easy
as you think. Strangely, University and College Departments of archaeology/anthropology in the U.S. have a thing
called: "tunnel vision" or "scholarly micro-vision" and worship the god Man and sub-totems as
Darwinism (a material approach), Eugenics (Natural selection speeded up by Man. The Nazis loved this)), Pragmatism (John Dewey
idolized by many educators loved this man method for solving problems), socialism/Marxism; the state and select men are
gods, Humanism/Atheism; Man is the diety that will solve all problems... and other Man/material religions, media
stars, pencil thin weight and on and on. And, all breaking the First Commandment of God; thou shall have no other gods
before me. Good luck!
We can learn much to
help us in our objective of getting rid of tyrants by studying history. We are interested in all of it but especially interested
in ancient history...and prehistory (before writing ....the archaeologists must do the recording in this vast epoch as the
unseen portion of Man's past). Among other studies, the field of social-psychology is very interested in studying aggression
and is a big help.
One of the first things learned, and
it pops out in vivid neon lights on practically every other page of history is that STRENGTH PREVENTS WAR. And,
of course, that prevents terrorist/tyrants who are behind war. The only thing the tyrannical, hyper-aggressives
in the final charging tiger stage respect is muscle. And it takes a lot of power to stop a charging tiger.
Unfortunately, we start off with a major problem here as the Washington
Administration is very timid and halfway on Mideast policy. I am sure they believe they are high tech strong and can always
rely of superior high tech. But so did the Roman military...IF they were out in the open with their heavy equipment and could
maneuver in formation....but in the rough Teutonberg Forrest north of the Rhine, where they were lured, two crack legions
led by the general Varus were wiped out by the big Germans with axes, clubs, knives and broad swords. The Romans
were what I call "techno-dulled." This was during the time of Augustus Caesar. Cracks were forming in the
temples and institutions of Rome. We had a lot of high tech in Viet Nam but were beat by bicycles. We had high tech
in Iraq and still have in Afghanistan but look at the devastation caused by simple roadside explosives. So, Washington
and other leaders don't be techno-dulled. One has to be shrewd frontier fighters as the American Indians and old cavalry
soldiers studied carefully by a young Douglas MacArthur when his father was commandant of frontier posts. This paid off
enormously when he was commander of the western Pacific campaign in WWII...and also at Inchon and elsewhere. (see: his autobiography:
"Reminiscences"). Of course, have the latest ahead- of- the- cutting edge in technology, but also don't depend
totally on this. Keep plenty of contingincy operations handy. Be creative. Don't discount creative low tech also.
The less creative and inflexible, the easier it is to be techno-dulled. And also as General Pershing cautioned against emphatically
in WWI "no halfway methods are going to solve this problem. We are in this thing for keeps." (Pershing's "Experiences
in WWI."
If a culture has not been strong,
and the Tiger/Tyrant has already sprung, one must muster up much strength quickly to deal with the threat if not too late
by this time. Such catch up ball is not easy. We have to hold the tyrant at bay with muscle until we can attain civilization...until
we can get a chain on the tiger and tie it to a tree. But, unfortunately, in this stage of aggression, the tiger is already
out of the cage door. The culture has become too weak and strong action must be taken, again, if it isn't too late. Maybe
the culture can withstand a few "springs of the tiger", but society can't let it go on or the culture is doomed.
The terrorists want to tear it down...they want to tear us down. They are insanely jealous of us. They want to obliterate
us. This happened in ancient Rome...a little weaker...a little weaker...and here came the hordes out of the north.
Rome was sacked over and over. What we are seeing now in U.S. culture with school and mall shootings and all other crime and
tyrant activity is symptomatic of very very deep problems, and it is weakening our basic foundations greatly.
Until our culture has been healed, citizens must look squarely/realistically
at the situation and as Napoleon advised (and didn't even take his own advice)...."look at things the way they really
are...not as you want them to be." (one of the biographies, which I am still trying to track down' it's a small volumn).
So, get plenty of armed guards in all public places. I know it is embarrassing for us in world eyes and our own eyes, to admit
that the great U.S. has devolved to this state, but we must face reality. Hold them at bay until we can build up civilization.
Don't let them beat us. "Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead." (Adm. Farragut may have said that?)
Really, to emphatically deal with the reality of the situation,
our President and Government should declare war on terrorism per the Constitution ...as did Pres. Franklin D. Rosevelt
standing before Congress the day after Pearl Harbor. The Constitution says that "if invaded, declare War."
And we are being invaded by terrorists. And terrorists include drug and gun runners coming across our southern border
and elsewhere. And we have actually been helping them! How sick! The Athenians of the Council of 500 would have
already sent all of our government packing to some distant isle per the device of ostracism. But getting real, a declaration
of war on terrorism means the whole country swings into action. All citizens in a democracy are leaders and have to get with
this. Pick up one's sword as did the philosopher Socrates and go defeat the attacking Persian horde at Marathon. Kick
out all the slick, word, semantic manipulators who are afraid of the word terrorism and war. Run all their words through multiple
wringers as did Aristotle and his students in the Lyceum. All sources and influences of terrorism must be delt
with.....the media, lack of ethical/legal/spiritual controls (the Athenians knew well that you can't have a democracy without
such controls or every thing would get out of control fast with all that freedom. So, ironically, there will never be
a 100 percent free democracy. The famed classicist Edith Hamilton pointed this out about Athens. (re. Echo of Greece). By
the way, all of her writings need to be studied as she made it a distinct point to make her studies helpful for us today. What
a great mentor for us all. And she was a great student of Rome also, which is very helpful too. Rome delt with
all kinds of terrorists...Pirates of the Mediterranean, invaders from the north (Gauls and others) and invaders from
the south (Carthage) not to mention all the internal tyrants that began to spring up more and more as their grand old Republic
(a democracy) came to an end. Then, Rome became a terrorist/tyrant/dictatorship herself. But watch
out for those fast talking eloquent Caesars who are using the breakdown of democracy for their own dictatorial means. Our
Chicago crowd running our government right now says, "Don't let a disaster go to waste." Caesar was a genius and
orchestrated the downfall of Rome for his own means. His power base was the army; the Administration power base
is the masses of voters. Really, the power-operators should be the individual citizens in a democracy. Watch the power
moguls. Then, there is a big powerful movement today toward socialism, which is a massive dictatorial tyrant above the individual
citizens...who more and more is losing power. Democracy is in more danger of being lost today than ever before. The U.S. is
larger and more powerful and can educate freedom better (if it is able) than Athens and Rome. Lots to lose...and
it IS being lost. Off the couches!
As far as dramatic
media goes in this battle, we can learn from the master story-teller himself Robert Louis Stevenson. He said that he didn't
want to have the filthy pirate talk of the Spanish Main in his Pirate stories, so, he cratively adjusted the X rated ditties,
etc. "so that a mother could read the stories to her children." Thus, the answer here is simple: CREATIVITY....and
ethics. Don't let the 8 Ball writers, producers, owners get away with this. They blame the public. That doesn't excuse themselves
at all for being non-ethical. Think of Treasure Island with lots of action and clean....a true masterpiece of literature
that will live on and on. Stevenson didn't let the trash of the world run his writing/creativity. And money which
causes much of bad ethics must be controlled by good ethics.
Notice, we always get back to ethics....and ultimate ethics is the Scriptures...or whatever writings one's religion professes.
There are a number of kindly, loving religions out there, such as the Budhists and Sikhs although we love Christianity
best for one reason that Christ was a great healer of Mankind...and all of our problems definitely need healing. Unfortunately,
the worshippers of Man, the humanists, are working hard to try and destroy God in the society, There is a tremendous
civil war going on within the U.S. right now. Most people do not even now what is hitting them or what treasures they are
losing. Notice, the humanists (Man worshippers) have gotten rid of the Ten Commandments in many places and attack loving
Christmas scenes and work hard to not have "our country under God" as the Founders wished. What the Founders
didn't want was/is organized church, as they could see the disaster in France in their day (when Humanism began by the way).
So, watch out. Someday we may have Man in a manger - symbolizing the Atheist diety of Man (who they believe
can solve all problems) surrounded by their "wise" men (totems), John Dewey (the education guru), Darwin,
and Braidwood (in archaeology). One of the angels floating above would be the Greek God Prometheus the symbol of Humanism.
But, it is very easy to see the basic cause of most of the problems
in our U.S. Society. One doesn't have to be a Harvard scholar to see that by tossing Moses and God's 10 Commandments, Isaiah,
David, Solomon, Jesus, Paul, Matthew, John, Luke, Peter and all the rest (the Dalhi Lhamma in Tibet) in the dumpster
that disaster would happen. We are truly in the Age of Duh.
Crash courses, in the study of democracy itself are a must. We absolutely need to get on this quick. If schools won't
do it, students will have to meet informally in their hangouts. We are getting many top-heavy, non-democracy, dieing
dinosaurs crushing the daylights out of us in many ways from above... socialism, corporateocracy (if not controlled by
Man Law and spiritual ethics), one world government, Progressiveism, Humanism, Pragmatism, Eugenics...and none of them
are democracy! And they all have become religions.
One great thing about the study of democracy is that the student can see that she or he is important (and everyone wants to
be important...but in good socially acceptable ways,,,and this is a great way). One also looks at the other person as important...each
in a way a boss running themselves. So, everyone is respected. They may have different views, but they can study the
views in a good, organized, democratic way. They send representatives to the state houses and Washington, but they are
still running things and need to keep in touch with the representatives.
So, we need to mobilize our country, get organized, list all the good helpful, healing methods, and then implement them and
stop the attacking tigers. We have many great helps for doing so. Above all, we must be strong and realistic. When the
Areopagites - the Argons (their Supreme Court) - on Ares Hill (later Mars Hill), became too powerful, the Athenians
threw them out and established volunteer citizens in their place. But look at our Supreme Court today (borrowed
from the nine Aereopigites of Athens)....they voted to make big corporations the same as individual citizens. Holy cats! That
isn't democracy!! It is the free individual stupid!!! The entire Athenian Council of 500 would pass out! Let's get busy
fast...and get strong...and get rid of terrorist/tyrants. RM (Dec. 22, 2012).
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"TROUBLING
NEWS" - There is definitly a troubling posting of that title just in from our U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington
D.C. This is from Sarah J. Bloomfield, Director. The Museum was founded by an Act of Congress and supported by
the government - us. Get ready for some unbelievable stuff...but, unfortunately, it is true.
" Ron "
"The rising tide of Holocaust denial is starting to infiltrate our academic institutions.
' Every year our Museum sponsors dozens of lectures
and seminars on college campuses, including workshops to train future teachers in the most effective ways to bring the truth
about the Holocaust to new generations of students.'
Last spring, one vocal denier published ads in student newspapers at three universities hosting our teacher workshops and
sent hate-filled letters to students and administrators, one of which called our programs "a parody of history dressed
up in the righeous trappings of "Holocause Education."
'On another campus, an English professor told his students that the Holocaust was a hoax and cited academic freedom in defending
himself to critics.'
'As our nation's young people go back to school, it is absolutely critical that we do everything in our power to educate them
about the difference between free speech and hate speech."
She goes on to say that this is a "part of a disturbing trend highlighted by the US State Department's recent report
of a global surge in antisemitism "manifested in Holocaust denial, glorification, and relativism."
And, further adds that
their important programs " are expensive to maintain." The Museum has a goal to raise $20,000 "to
cover cost of one teacher training workshop this coming year."
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Isn't
this the pits? We truly are in the Age of Duh! I knew there was quite a bit of denial going on, but didn't know
about the university denial.. Our Democracy Parliamentarian, WAS, whose columns are found in our section "Democracyology,"
says that something definitely has to be done.
Akmadinajad of Iran is one of the more prominent deniers. It is obvious that he has definitely studied Naziism.
This is the "big lie" technique all over again. Tell a big enough whopper and there will be at least
a few who believe! Some really hate the Jews, and even study the greatest Jew- hater of all, Adolph Hitler and his Mein Kampf.
It is obvious as can be. But this big lie technique is all over the place....it is used in general politics, in
presidential, political campaigning right now. These candidates are really desperate. What a dumb example
for young people. Then, there is another factor involved as studied by the social psychologists - scapegoatism (delved
into by our Democracy Parliamentarian, WAS in the Democracyology WAS site herein....and also scroll down here for another
analysis. In addition see our section Race and Cultural Relations, WAS on this site with much about prejudice.
Margaret Mead and James Baldwin simply defined prejudice as coming from fear).
There always has to be a scapegoat...instead of a person looking at their own selves - as the great social psychologist
Pogo said - "We have met the enemy and he is us." Also, the psychologist's "invalidation" technique enters
in - putting the other guy down to make oneself more important. This is a pandemic disease. Again, terrible examples
for young folks and everyone for that matter. Where is one's own creativity and knowhow? Answer: they don't have it
and have to use junk destructive methods and reveal their own stupidity. I believe that such destructive invalidation
could easily come under the title of "terrorism." It is really tearing down the good ole' U.S.A. and allies.
It needs to be isolated, quarantined as some rogue bacteria. And pour on the antibiotic Truth.
All is under the heading of "historical, political, social, economic,
religious revisionism." Such revisionism is alive and well.
The
White House should stand up and wave the banner of truth, freedom, and good history and point out graphically all the suffering
endured by hate and prejudice. He has given a talk there at the Holocaust Museum, but he needs to quickly get on this
campus travisty. Places of "learning", horrors! Remember In the Holocaust, six-million deaths (and I suspect
more) and millions of military and civilians killed in WWII. I have heard 19 million. But, strangely, the White House
keeps throwing Israel under the proverbial bus! Whoa! They are the only true democracy over there and with
roots there in our judicial system and the building of our great democracy under God! They are old trusted allies. Something
is incredibly weird. The Democracy Parliamentarian WAS challenges the President to counter
campus and all oher denial with the force of his office. Also he should give a contribution for the educational fund,
followed by Congress to set a good example. The President needs to get out there in digital land immediately. He and
our country and all the free world have been psychologically bombed! (RM - Aug. 30, 2012).
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ALL POINTS BULLETIN RE DANGER FOR WOMEN IN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN. A
report just in from the lady in charge of UNESCO (apologies for not getting her name) that the global economic downturn is
increasing violence to women. Sadly to say "one in three women has been abused." This is a worldwide statistic.
UNESCO has done a lot of research on this terrible problem. There are different classifications of abuse: ranging from
beatings to death and included are rape as a military weapon. Concerning the latter, one in three women in Sierra Leone,
Africa has been raped. UNESCO believes that as the economic downturn increases more cases of abuse will be found.
Thanks to BBC Radio for this report. Note: I don't know if mental abuse is included in their statistics but should be.
And what about the abuse of men? That should be included also.
What a sad and sick correlation - bad economics and abuse - a terrible statement for the condition of global society.
Even if economics are bad, there is no excuse for such abuse. This tragedy could all be solved by one simple rule - THE
GOLDEN RULE - "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." Recalling a class in Comparative Religion at
Mizzou, most religions have this rule in their philosophies. Of course, this wonderful teaching needs to be taught.
According to the Judaeo-Christian religions, "children need to be brought up in the right way (the religious way)."
The parents are really the responsible ones. So, what is so difficult about this one rule? Zinjanthropus could understand
this one rule!
The late Dr. George Washington
Carver, America's famed creative scientist, man of peace (he and Ghandi were friends), master teacher, philosopher said that
if only this one rule - the Golden Rule - were applied, there would be no trouble in the world. Carver is one of our mentors
here at the WAS. In fact, our latest Special Publication No. 20 is about him: "The Early Life of Dr. George Washington
Carver...With Notes on the Young Carver's Secret Garden." Your writer has often said that Carver is the answer
to many of the world's problems - work ethic, practical teaching methods, relations with others, organic farming methods,
compassion for the poor, religious approach to studies and practical-creative approach to everything. Carver often pointed
out that the object of life is service to others (Golden Rule again); it's not the material things one has, but service to
other. And one doesn't want to get through life without contributing something to society. I recall one of Carver's
rules: "Start with what you have; make the most of it...and don't stop." I probably read that in Rackham Holt's
biography of Carver. The world can't study Carver enough. This is fascinating and ironic...a black man in America is the answer
to problems in Africa and elsewhere! And much gets down to education...the philosophy of Carver and Booker T. Washington visionary
of the South and President of Tuskegee in Alabama.
But, first, when things have deteriorated so far down to the charging tiger, brute stage, a "strong sheriff" "animal
keeper" is needed to subdue the crazed animals.
The ancient Athenians knew all about chaos - they invented the word. They knew that there had to be discipline in self-rule
- democracy...freedom... but some control always necessary...law...ethical control. That's a long way from the brute
mindless stage up to the ultimate self-rule, but as the saying goes..."a journey of a thousand miles begins with
a single step." And, of course, economics definitely helps...as does tempering philosophies. Entered:
Oct. 22, 2010.
NEWS ITEM IN TODAY FROM THE UN. 120 RAPES BY SOLDIERS
REPORTED IN THE CONGO. 170 RAPES TOTAL IN LAST FEW MONTHS. (entered July 2nd, 2011...RM).
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ALL POINTS BULLETIN RE. THE
SCAPEGOAT PHENOMENON IN TIMES OF HARDSHIP - RUNNING RAMPANT GLOBALLY. Here we have another immediate global problem
with which all must deal. We in Anthropology and Sociology get into the subject of Scapegoatism deeply. Race attracts
scapegoatism...something different. We in the U.S. find much scapegoatism right now in politics. Hard economic
times really draws scapegoatism out of the woodwork. We see the phenomenon in Latin America now in full blast. Tin horn
dictators are using the U.S. as a scapegoat. Things are hard and what is really diabolical is the dictators use the device
to promote themselves and their own agendas. They know the masses need a scapegoat, so they use this cursed device to
the hilt. The world must watch this carefully and deal with this disease firmly. Look what happened with the dictators
Hitler and Musolini in Europe in the 1920's, 30's and 40's. Millions of good people died. I was a little
boy and remember it well. Scapegoatism is also rampant right now in the Near and Middle East. Akmadinajad
of Iran is pouring it on the Scapegoat Israel...just like Hitler. Arabs are also using Israel as a scapegoat and also
the U.S. Much of the problem is that many can't stand the success of the Jewish Race and the U.S. We examine
this situation closely here at the WAS. We note things like Akmadinajad is using other Hitler techniques..."The big lie
technique" of propaganda. Tell a big enough whopper and at least a few will believe it. Keep pouring on the big
lie. Hitler and his chief of propaganda Joseph Goebels knew all about it. It's obvious that Akmadinajad is studying
Hitler, and again, of all things, the Jews are the scapegoats. A word to the wise. The world can't let such stupidy
happen again. It got out of hand in pre-WW II days with the appeasers. Appeasing - denial - is disastrous.
All free world news agencies should dig into all this deeply...so should All governments. Otherwise, here we go again.
Millions more needless deaths. The scholarship is all out there for the reading and study. Social Psychology is
a good field for study. The tin-horn dictators hope that no one will study this scholarship with answers to the problm.
They would lose power and their people would have to assume personal responsibility, work hard, be creative and have democracies
and build up their own selves. Check works in social-psychology. See: our section here; Race and Cultural
Relations Dept. WAS. Your writer took a course on the subject taught by Dr. Gist at the University of Missouri,
Columbia, Mo. He was Head of the Department of Sociology. Not long thereafter, the new and separate Dept. of Anthropology
was formed, and I moved over there, specializing in archaeology/anthropology...with a secondary in Art. In any
case, everyone needs to get a handle on Scapegoatism. Even if times are hard there shouldn't be
such meanness. One can understand a little letting off of steam in hard times and then voting for a new candidate...peaceful
means. Even peaceful demonstration is allowed. But even this must be watched carefully. Emotions, tempers, mob
mentality can arise. Margaret Mead the famed anthropologist and James Baldwin both came to the conclusion that fear
is the underlying problem in prejudice. Peaceful religions can help greatly. The Bible is all about God/Love
the most non-hurtful, powerful thing there is, so, that - theology - is a great antidote...coupled with scholarly
study in sociology/anthropology (includes culture, psychology, biological studies). Even nutrition should be
studied. Poor diets can make people mean. Remember the words of the greatest of all sociologists/anthropologists...Pogo,
who said: "We have met the enemy and he is us!" Entered Oct. 24, 2010....RM
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GREETINGS to all of our friends around the world interested in archaeology. Welcome to the most unique archaeological society
in the universe. We are not only interested in the usual archaeological things - all branches and specialties - but among
other things, we take the studies and apply to present societal problems in creative ways. This is more fun than a barrel
of anthropologists. But it is very serious at times...as right now...with all the national and global events unfolding around
all of us- one event after another...and very scarey in fact...disastrous economics, war, disease, our very survival in fact.
And, all of this human/cultural mess involves anthropology..the study of Man, Woman and Child!
Archaeologists who borrow anthropological tools, sometimes claim that they study everything, including the kitchen sink! But,
fortunately, and we need to thank God, we have the best help tools around for studying the various human societal problems.
We do have the great field of anthropology (the study of Man..or humanity if you will) with the five main branches of biology,
culture(ethnology), psychology, linguistics and archaeology. Other helpful fields for us are geology, paleontology, sociology
(sociology and anthropology overlap in many ways)...plus history(including military history - on every other page of
history)......and we are very big on ancient history (Athens, Rome and American Indians are especially important helps), and
all kinds of historical archaeology. Here in the U.S. the classic example is Colonial Williamsburg; excavation helped greatly
in reconstruction. It all falls into the great helpful "Laboratory of history" as the anthropologist Kroeber
called it - very important as is art and art history (much of the story of humanity is in art). More great material
for "The Laboratory!" This gets exciting when "operating" on some problem today! In addition,
we even have more "instruments." There are over 75 sub-branches of anthropology such as political and even spiritual
anthropology. This is a smorgasbord of instruments!
Archaeology
itself is one of the great universal languages of good, human interest, adventure and family relations. Many cultures today
actually live on top of ruins of their ancestors and appreciate archaeologists who care about such treasured relationships.
Archaeologists are very understanding of different cultures, their ways of doing things, religions, etc. They want
to learn all they can about them. They are champions of saving cultures...ancient and modern. Much priceless information can
be learned that can help one's own culture...maybe even save one's own culture! The Osage had this approach to other cultures...and
even the White intruders. The mighty Osage ruled a vast land in what is now the central U.S. Their land today is known as
the Ozarks Mountains and is as big as the country of France. Our WAS office is located in old Osage country. The Osage were
eager to learn about the Whites and even the missionaries - both Protestant and Catholic, although the missionaries had little
success converting the "pagans". The Native Americans were more brilliant than the missionaries realized.
They had a complicated religion that I would rank right up there with the great religions of today. If the missionaries had
only studied this culture more and appreciated how sharp they really were and applied Christian things to Osage things, they
might have made more headway, but I can't say for sure. They had a great helpful religion. It came out of the Mississippi
Culture, the great temple mound builders of the southeast U.S. See our section on the Osage on this site for
sources.
Archaeologists/anthropologists
have sadly seen much destruction of culture - both ancient (historical and prehistorical)...and living cultures in the Americas
and all around the world.
THE
GREAT PANORAMA OF ANTIQUITY. The picture of global antiquity is so vast and rich that when it finally
dawns on a person just how much there is and how far back in antiquity it goes...it is truly staggering. And all
of it is a great memorial to countless people....our ancestors. We may not be genetically related, but we are brothers
and sisters in a way. Their great cultures have come down to us (some we have to excavate to find out about...and all have
use). The archaeologists know about this more than anyone. They have actually stood in excavation pits where they
can see in the vertical wall profiles evidence of all the cultures. Sometimes these pits are very deep. It
is even hard for the archaeologists sometimes to get it in their heads about all the cultures and the time factor and also
the vast geographical factor. Here in the U.S. there is a very good chance that many ancients down through the millenia
knew about the very place the reader in the US is now either in the easy chair, out in the yard or at work
or going to work...and all along the way. In more ancient times they were more migratory, but as agriculture came
into the picture they were more settled, although even then they also sent out hunting groups and warriors over large
areas. They really got around, more than you can possibly imagine...and they didn't have cars, motorcycles and bikes!
Pawhuska or "White Hair" an Osage chief here in midwest fought George Washington out east! The Osage were
great friends and fellow traders of the French. Archaeologists have fun tracing the migrations all over continents. And we
still have "the mobile society." People really have a travelling itch. So, we must keep trails open...for a
number of reasons.
Citizens need to commence studying all this. It
is a great legacy...learning how to deal with the land, protect the land, live off of it...and also how to get along with
each other...and explore the vast area of the Great Spirit. This is all tremendous wealth. We actually
need ancient knowhow desperately right now. Some of the tribes have managed to keep their cultures going. The
archaeologists have helped too. But, there is a constant great battle going on where forces of modern culture
would destroy all this. It is sickening to report, but the early rape of native culture and people by the white
glacier is still going on right now. Lots of educational work to do. All help appreciated.
It should be mentioned that many American archaeologists receive their degrees in anthropology. Classical archaeologists and
some other specialties have their own great characteristics. Moreover, many archaeologists and anthropologists are in the
teaching "Maestro" category in Latin America and elsewhere, and teachers are highly respected in many areas (but
not all) there.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR -
OR WHATEVER YOUR CELEBRATION IS CALLED - TO OUR READERS AND MEMBERS AROUND THE WORLD! At nearby Branson, in southwest
Missouri we have the annual Adoration Lighting and Parade (the first Sunday every December). My Dad, the late Steve
Miller and his friend Joe Todd founded the lighting 61 years ago. At one time I know, the lighting was one of the top
ten winter events in the country. People pour in by the thousands. It is a family event and generations and generations
come down. Folks bring folding chairs and blankets. Hint: be sure and come early! Joe, Mgr. of a furniture
store and Dad, Mgr. of the Owen theatre (the first theatre in Branson....now there are over 50....with a hundred shows
and more seats than on Broadway)...had the idea over a cup of coffee in the White River Grill. They didn't have
much time. The owner of the Grill gave the first contribution...$5.00. Dad was an artist and set to work on the big figures
about 18' tall. I helped paint between the lines. It all turned into quite an event; everyone is invited.
Dad and Joe wanted to be sure and celebrate the Christ Spirit. The Adoration Scene in on a big hillside across Lake
Taneycomo from Branson. There are ceremonies at the corner of Main and Commercial (the scene can be seen from there).
This is all ultimate anthropology. Again, we wish everyone the best... the Spirit of Good. Ron and the WAS
gang!
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COLD
WEATHER AND HOW THE ANCIENTS DELT WITH IT:
As I write it is very cold out...bitter
with strong winds. Being in the world of archaeology I often think...how in the world did the ancients deal with it...and
for thousands of years at that? They were absolutely brilliant...and tough. They had many cold fighting tricks.
I have listed some in our Disaster section, but will list some here too. You might want to keep some of this info. handy.
First, they knew that the south side of a hill or mountain was warmer than the north. That
side has been soaking up the sun's heat for months. But there is also more contrast from hot to cold. Soils scientists
and geologists study rocks on the south side and notice that there is more decomposition/erosion. But chances are if
you get in a bind out in the boonies, head for the south side (the north side will usually catch the wind blast). And,
of course, in the summer, the North side will be cooler.
So, bluffs and hillsides on
south side act as heat sinks. The Ozarks bluff-dwellers lived in rock shelters (semi-caves) on bluffs. They
would plant vertical posts in soil deposits if there were any such deposits and hang skins to box in the shelters.
They kept the home fires going; there is often much ash found in such shelters.
Also, caves are warmer - around 50 degrees plus or minus, and many an ancient scurried for these holes in cold weather.
They would usually build their fires close to the entrance, probably to keep from getting smoked out and also to keep
from smoking out a host of hibernating varmits. Your writer has run across some big mean snakes hiding in crevices
in caves. So, keep on the lookout.
Handy insulation. There
is much insulation handy in nature. Dried grass is great. The Indians would stuff it down in their moccasins or
boots. You can use it in many ways...to sleep on...as a blanket or stuffed here or there. Leaves and Pine needles
can be used as insulation, bedding and various protective devices.
Branches of evergreens
come in handy in many ways.
The Osage when out in temporary or summer
camps on hunting trips would plant saplings in a circle and bend toward the top. Then weave dried grass and other
vegetal material in and out. Leave a hole in top for smoke. This hole can be covered at night if the fire
is out. The Arickira, Mandan and Hidatsa on the upper Missouri R. covered the smoke holes of their semi-subterranean
lodges with their leather bull boats upside down.
These semi-subterranean
lodges were brilliant, and some have been reconstructed in Mandan country. I have helped excavate many. They are circular,
around 30' in diamater (There were older semi-subterranean lodges that were rectangular...I helped excavate one of these.
They dug down about three feet or so and lined the big circle with vertical posts of cedar about 8' tall. They then
planted 4 heavy posts in a big square. Beams on top formed the square. Then, long, stout, cedar poles (if
available) were run from the walls up to the smoke hole. This framework was then covered with dirt, a fantastic
insulator, great for hot summer and bitter winter. By the way, an enclosed entranceway about 8' maybe longer faced the
rising sun. These entrance ways tapered down to a smaller door covered with skin. I don't know if there
was a drainage ditch around the outer circumference, but probably not a bad idea (from experience living in tents all summer
and some in winter).
It is very good to get an idea of earth, insulation,
building theory. Modern homes in the ground really do need to provide for drainage. I can't remember for sure, but either
the University of Minn. or Wisconsin has an excellent manual on how to build a house in the ground. Such modern building
is quite a science.
But, if you are stuck in an emergency think
of the insulation property of earth. Dig holes...cover structures with dirt. The indians made shovels of hafted bison
scapulas. So, if you don't have a shovel, think of making one from something at hand.
In the Army, your writer has had to sleep in pup tents in bitter cold and snow. We scrounged up some straw for the mattress.
The supply sgt. found some candles which we burned in helmets. This helped a lot but is dangerous near straw. You have
to watch it! (there is much more thanks to ancients). Entered Jan. 7th, 2010 - RM
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SAMOANS NEED HELP. Your
writer just learned that some Samoans performing in nearby Branson, Missouri have relatives in Samoa, and help
is needed. One family had a death in Samoa due to the tsuname and needs help to get back. They perform at the
Dutton Theatre. The Dutton family has a daughter-in-law who is Samoan. She performs with the group also.
I was talking with her one time, and mentioned my favorite writer was Robert Louis Stevenson, and he wrote a famous poem I
have always liked "Home is the hunter....home from the sea," etc. This is engraved at site in Samoa where
he retired and passed away. Would you believe, right there and then she recited the entire poem!!! That
really made my day!!!
I have found
out how to help the Samoans. Send contributions to Ozark Mountain Bank, Branson, MO. 400 S. Bus Hwy. 65, Branson, MO
65616. Make checks payable to: "Island Fire Family Relief Fund," Here is the Bank's number for information:
417 334 4125. Also, the Dutton Family Theatre is having a special benefit show, Saturday evening the 3rd of October.
I know Mrs. Dutton. She and I served
once on the Branson Veterans, Task Force, Education Committee.
The Dutton family has their own theatre on Hwy. 76. Each member of the family is multi-talented; they play many different
instruments, sing and dance. They are sharp. If some national network show should be in need of raising ratings, the
way to do it, is have the Duttons on. I guarantee this will raise ratings.
We
are thinking of all the people having a hard time in Samoa and relatives here and elsewhere....and also the Indonesians
who just suffered from two big earthquakes! I hope Dr. Quiko, who calls himself "Java Man", and family
are o.k. Best - Ron Miller, Dir., WAS
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HELP
NEEDED TO RESTORE LITTLE SCHOOL HOUSE - FIRST SCHOOL ATTENDED BY DR. GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER FAMED CREATIVE SCIENTIST, TEACHER,
ARTIST, PHILOSOPHER, THEOLOGIAN.
The little school in Neosho, Missouri, eight miles from the Moses Carver homestead at
Diamond, Missouri, was a Lincoln School, a school for blacks. There are very few of these schools left in the country. Carver
attended this school when he was ten. This was his first school. Blacks couldn't attend the white school at Diamond. It is
quite a story about his exploring the natural world around the homestead and Carver Creek and then his leaving home on a great
educational odyssey. When looking at the Carver story there can be no excuses for any student to not get an education. During
the Civil War, Carver was born in a 14 foot square log cabin close to the Moses Carver house just across Carver Creek. Shortly
thereafter dreaded Bushwhakers roaming the no-man's land area between border states raided the homestead, strung Moses Carver
up by thumbs to try and find the location of his money. He wouldn't talk. Disgusted, the Bushwhakers kidnapped the baby Carver
and his mother and took them down into Arkansas. Moses sent a stalwart soul to try and find them. The man could only find
the baby; the mother was lost. The baby had a severe case of whooping caugh, finally cured by a home remedy of onion juice
and sorghum. But he was sickly for a number of years after. When he finally attended the little school in Neosho he stayed
with "Aunt Mariah." After three years he took off on an educational journey. He loved learning about things. He
would work many jobs. Finally, having overcome great obstacles he made it to Iowa State. After receiving a Masters, Booker
T. Washington invited him to Tuskegee in Alabama. Eventually, he would save farmers of the South - the Boll Weevel and mined
soil had left the lands destitue, and with poor people still revovering from Civil War, he nevertheless, instigated crop rotation
methods using the nitrogen producing peanut to restore fertility. He invented many products from peanuts and yams (over 300)
to diversify sales. He helped all of us in many ways, went on to be friends of many greats, Edison, Ghandhi and many more.
He is one of the great Americans. The little school house is a tremendous symbol of overcoming hardship and the power of education
and God (whom he believed in greatly). The lessons here are numerous.
Here's the problem now. The first school he attended
was found to be within a little house. It had been encapsulated down through the years since the days just after the Civil
War. The school within is in bad shape, and the outer house is not all that great. The Natl. Park Service architects and archaeologists
have done some research. The Carver Birthplace Center is located not far away near Diamond, Missouri. The Natl. Park Service
is in charge. This Center was founded by an Act of Congress. It is a major Dept. of the Interior/Park Serv. operation. Greats
such as Einstein, Hemingway, Pearl Buck and many others helped promote the Act of Congress that established the Center.
Your writer submitted an idea and drawing a couple
of years ago (2012) for the little school to Lana Henry Chief Ranger and in charge of education at the Center.
Move the encapsulated school and outer house to back of property....then reconstruct the school out front for visitors. Also
build this school on skids so it can be picked up and loaded on a low boy trailer....if needed to take around for various
ceremonies and educational purposes. The Center sends out trunks with practical teaching aids like used by Carver to
various schools. By the way, I understand that these methods of Carver have raised school scores. Anyway, there
are lots of educational possibilities here. I'm possitive Carver is the answer to raising education level of the
country. (this later paragraph added May 19, 2012).
However, as you may have
guessed there is a money problem now in the government (and, yes, everywhere). The little school is actually owned by
the Carver Birthplace Association (Hq. at the Center). Your writer is a member of this organization. "Outside help is
o.k," said Lana Henry, Head Ranger.
So, there you are; any help appreciated to restore the school.. Any school kids
like to help? You would have to wash cars, mow grass, etc. But what a tremendous project. The Carver qualities are just what
our country needs right now (really what the entire world needs!), creative science, practical teaching methods that have
been proven to raise test scores today, a peaceful, spiritual approach, high type character, and much more.
And maybe
some grownups out there would like to help?
Contact Paxton Williams,
Dir. of the Carver Birthplace Association --- (417) 325 4151....or www.carversfriends.org. ....or write: George Washington
Carver Birthplace Association, 5646 Carver Road, Diamond, MO 64840. You can also join the Carver Birthplace Assoc.
Paxton
puts on a great show as Carver. Paxton said he wants to help any way he can. If you need more information on Carver...and
maybe a swell show, be sure and contact him.
I don't know anyone who knows more about Carver than he does. Paxton
has a one man play as George Washington Carver, Sunday, Feb. 28th, 2:30 pm at Elsie Plaster Community Center, Crowder College,
Neosho, MO. (P.S. Paxton has left to go to law school - so, just write the Center - RM)
As you may know, Carver is one of our mentors here at the WAS (see our Aims section).
Note: I learned about the whooping
cough remedy given to the baby Carver from a talk on Carver given by author Peter Duncan Burchard at the July 11, '09 Carver
Day Celebration at the Carver Birthplace Center.
Entered here Sept. 13, and 15, '09 - Also, the note on Paxton's play,
Feb. 20, '10. Ron Miller
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OFFICER JOHNS'
FAMILY FUND AT HOLOCAUST MUSEUM.
First, we wanted to tell readers
that our National Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC has a Family Fund for officer Stephen Tyrone Johns (1969 - 2009) killed
recently.
All contributions will go directly to the family. The contributions are not tax-deductable. There are three
ways to contribute:
Mail check payable to USHMM Officer Johns Family Fund to USHMM 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington,
DC 20024.
Visit: http://web.ushmm.org/officerjohns
Call toll free: 877-918-7466 (from 8:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
eastern
time)
According to an e-mail sent by the Holocaust Museum, the family minister suggested this at the funeral.
Sincerely,
Ron, posted June 23, '09
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Holocaust
Museum often has fellowships and jobs. The following listing has expired, but will give the readers an idea of what they do.
They also have many programs and lectures around the country. Remember, this is our U.S. Museum.
JOB VACANCY WITH
NATIONAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM. The National Holocaust Museum (our U.S. Museum) has an opening in their Berlin office for Communication
and Programme Officer. It's a Grade P2 equivalent. The closing date is 15 Mar. 2009. You will have to have an advanced degree.
For information write: info.@holocaust-taskforce.org. Isn't this something? An opening re. the Holocaust in Berlin. The Holocaust
Museum has a group of member countries that do good work, and Germany is one of them. Our hats are off to all the officials
in Germany. The name of this combined Task Force is: Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance
and Research. What great work they are doing. We wish them all the best (for all of our sakes!
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POLICY RE. RETURN OF ARTIFACTS TO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.
We here at the WAS are so respectful of other cultures that we believe, re. the issue of artifacts removed from original countries,
that they should be returned. "Do unto others." Your writer was taught that artifacts should be so carefully studied
and recorded that you then have the artifact on paper or plastic. Your writer came from the school that it is science that
is important. Yes, money is important for research and eating, but when it comes to the artifacts, we aren't ruled by money
or self. "It is the story that the artifacts can tell that is most important." And, again, we are thinking of the
other person. As General Swartzkoff said in his lecture on leadership and character at the local college: "Do the right
thing." And, Jesus stressed over and over to think of your neighbor.
To understand our thinking better here at the
WAS, one needs to realize that we are constantly battling the "Pack rat syndrome," - and we have done this for 60
years. There are many pot-hunters who dig up artifacts (destroying for all time the important associated clues in the soil!!),
and like pack rats carry the artifacts back to their collection "scrambled nests" for hording or possibly selling
underground. You can't believe how many unscrupulous antique dealers there are out there. Yes, of course, there are some great
museums and antique people....but things haven't changed a bit from the old tomb-robbers of ancient Egypt.
And many artifacts in the wrong museums have been carefully excavated, but more and more museum artifacts are being returned
to the country of origin. This is great, but there are still some big holdouts. And make sure that the artifacts will be well
cared for. There is a lot involved in preservation. And if some new information about the artifact comes to light back at
the country of origin, they should go to great lengths to inform the temporary adoptive care person.
Make casts of the
originals - with permission of true owners. Be thoughtful toward each other.
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Thanks to all the folks around the globe sending in information - books,
journals, newsletters, comments.
This all goes into our anthropological "hopper" here at the WAS Information
Center.
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We can be reached for help
with archaeological first aid and other archaeological/anthropological help matters at the following e-mail address: ronwriterartist@aol.com.
This is also the address for our Timbertop Studio associated with the W.A.S. and for all art needs.
Just think, if our
U.S. Gov't. had studied ethnology (a branch of anthropology) of another country, say Iraq, we wouldn't be having all the problems
we are having now. This should have come under "contingency thinking" in the Operation's Branch (G-3). We practically
beg people to make use of anthropology, but it's like shouting to the wind!
What with
constant destruction of the antiquities by the concrete, asphalt, glacier, more and more population, natural forces, looting,
etc. we have our work cut out for us. There is a great need for education and laws and helping the researchers. There are
many other challenges as well in our studies, such as - inflation, keeping up with new methodology, finding time to research
in a fast paced world.
And, something else we stress. While we are very scientific, we also believe in having fun.
We also try hard to cut through scholarly gobbledygook. It's a curious fact that strange scholarly language attracts dust
as a powerful magnet! And many of these dust magnets are lost on dingy shelves in departmental innersanctums of universities
and colleges...and also in deep stacks of libraries around the world. Basic research is crucial, but communication must be
promoted. We often find ourselves in the business of translating "foreign scholarly languages." So, we promote communication
- not "impressive communication in departments"...but communication having empathy for another "culture"...the
"people culture"- climbing over the ivy walls...where society is in desperate need of help. And, who can help society
better than students of humanity?).
One of the massive problems faced by archaeologists and mentioned
a little above, but deserving of much more space is the problem of the fake artifact industry and underground artifact (including
real and fake) selling. It is an enormous area. The fakers are very very good. They delight in fooling or
trying to fool naive buyers. They really get a thrill if they can fool a pro. Many have tried to fool your writer, bringing
all kinds of artifacts into a museum for analysis. One guy brought a lard bucket of chert artifacts in. There were pieces
and complete artifacts. Something told me to examine every one. So, I spread them out on a tarp on the floor. Sure
enough there were a few mods. There was a visitor to the museum, a very wealthy man. He wore a bola tie with an
artifact. Thinking he knew it was a fake, I said "that's a great repro bola tie there." Suddenly, flame
shot out of his eyes and ears (just kidding...but it almost happened). He was furious at me. In fact, I braced
myself, because he almost took a swing at me. He had probably been taken for a pile of money...and also the ego
was fractured when discovering he had been taken to the cleaners. There was also a big multi-million dollar contributor
to the museum. I discovered that half of the big artifact collection he had contributed was fake. I thought I
would get a medal and patted on the back, but just the opposite happened. He was furious. He had been taken for
thousands of dollars. He was a real naive plum. The fakers had even taken him out in the field and pointed out
some statue in the ground (obviously planted). The fakers are slick. They soak artifacts in wet nails to give
an iron patina...and also soak and put in a freezer to pop off new little flake scars of chert points. There are even
industries of fakers who make exotic large points and blades of Carerra glass, soaked in hydroflouric acid to give a dulled
chert surface. There is one famous little fake pot/figure made by some Indians in Oklahoma. A kneeling figure
is holding a little pot out front. The story is that tribal members walk by and urinate in the pot, then, sell to the
naive white man.
This fake stuff is going on all over the world.
And, the pot-hunters are even furiously seeking and digging up real artifacts (wrecking priceless info about the story
of the artifact) and selling. A report just in from China tells of the terrible problem they are having in
indiscriminate digging and artifact sales. China has tremendous national antiquity. But this is a major problem....especially
with hard times. Just like in ancient Egypt, tomb- robbers are out there working away caring nothing for the priceless
history of the land. They are blinded by money. It is going on here in the U.S. and all around the world as we speak.
We are losing our history and prehistory. Much education and new laws are needed. One pot-hunter in China
was just executed.
Good excavations in life. Sincerely, Ron Miller,
Dir. WAS, 120 Lakewood Drive, Hollister, Missouri, 65672 USA. E-mail: ronwriterartist@aol.com
This web site is: www.worldarchaeologicalsociety.com
NOTE; Sometimes incoming e-mails end up in a Spam folder and we lose, but keep trying.
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HOPE & THE HEALERS OF MT. PELION
We have a new publication
out: Hope & the Healers of MT. Pelion. WAS Special Publication No. 17. For information see: News and Publications on this
site (click at bottom of this section.
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RULES OF THE
FIND -
In case you find something that you believe is important, say, a bone with a projectile
point next to it, or an odd looking bone sticking out of a bank, or a rock-shelter with some woven material or pots, here
are some rules of the find.
Take a deep breath! Sit down and think this thing over. You've got to be cool here
and DO NOT TOUCH OR DISTURB THE SITE. You don't want to disturb possible associations.
Archaeological Rules
THE RULE OF THE ASSOCIATION:
The rule of the association
is one of the most important rules in all of archaeology. The best example was the Folsom Point discovery in Black Horse Draw
near Folsom, New Mexico by a black cowboy George McJunkin. He found some bones sticking out of the bank as he was riding by.
Fortunately, he tried to get some bone collectors to come look, but they didn't get out until after McJunkin's death.
Eventually word got to the Denver Museum and Dr. Figgins. Excavation revealed extinct giant bison bones and fluted points
in association - possibly the greatest find ever in America. It established as true the association of man and extinct beast,
10,000 years ago. Up until this find, it was believed to be an impossiblity - Man in the Americans this far back! The key
was the points and bones in an undisturbed matrix. One of the experts called in to verify was Dr. Frank H.H. Roberts head
archaeologist of the Smithsonian. Roberts, my old boss one time, did come and did verify this bombshell association.
Associations at every dig are important. Various artifacts next to this or that feature or other
artifact or in this or that level (horizontal or vertical)are important associations. So, it is easy to see that if some indiscriminate
digger or pot-holer digs at a site, just looking for some goodies, that all sorts of associations will be ruined for all time
(I repeat - FOR ALL TIME). What a catastrophe. So, don't touch. Even highly trained archaeologists have to be extremely careful.
This brings up another rule:
THE RULE THAT ALL SITES AND FINDS ARE IMPORTANT. Your site doesn't have to be a Folsom
site to be important. ALL SITES ARE IMPORTANT...and ALL FINDS ARE IMPORTANT. A tiny flint chip is important. It may show evidence
along the edge that it was used as a knife. The type of flint can be traced to a certain ancient flint quarry. Such a man-made
object can be tied in to some other find in that level (an association). All finds are clues to help solve archaeological
mysteries. Treat these clues with great respect.
So, it is easy to mess things up at a site and lose a lot of priceless
knowledge. Let the archaeologists check this out. This brings up still another rule:
THE RULE OF CALLING AN ARCHAEOLOGIST:
Do as George McJunkin, call someone or organization. Call someone at a Univ. Dept. of Anthropology or Archaeology...or someone
in the Classic's Dept...or a museum...or the State Archaeology Office at the Capitol...or an archaeology society. You have
to be careful here, as some societies are curio collecting societies. There are really some fine societies here in the U.S.A.,
e.g., The Mass. Archae. Soc., The Alabama Archae. Soc., the Mo. Archae. Soc. and more. If you are in Denmark call the Bog
Section of the Danish Natl. Museum. England has some great societies. England has always been a leader in archaeology, and
I have personally admired them greatly.
Call the Berlin Museum and Antiq. Authority in Italy...or
The Cairo Museum...or
the Louvre in France...or the Univ. in Lima...or the Albright Center in Jerusalem..or the Russian Dept. of Sciences...or the
Bejing Museum (it's impossible to list all here, but you get the idea).
In the meantime, there is another rule:
THE
RULE OF PROTECTING THE SITE. Protect it from animals, people and the weather. If you really think it is important, put a fence
around it. Cover it with a tarp...don't tell anyone except an archaeologist. Some pot-hunters can get downright ornery, so,
be careful. They get desperate for goodies - the fancy pots, etc. (totally ignoring and trampling those tiny clues and associations
mentioned earlier). They get dollar signs in their eyes, and their brains short circuit.
If it turns out that your find
is nothing of archaeological importance, that is fine. What a great learning experience. Everyone is constantly learning in
archaeology...even the best of the archaeologists. You are learning about real scientific archaeology now. Great! This trying
and interest is wonderful. It is much appreciated, because, unfortunately, there just aren't too many people who care. Thanks
much for caring about the story of the past in whatever part of the world you are in.
THE RULE OF WRITING AND RECORDING
IN ARCHAEOLOGY.
Writing and recording is of utmost importance in archaeology. An archaeologist will be looking at your
find in many different ways and one important way is that of writing and recording. He or she will at first be taking mental
notes such as: the site is close to a little gully that empties into a larger stream. And perhaps 100 yards to the northeast
is an old farm shed. If the archaeologist decides to excavate there will be much record keeping on site forms and much entered
into a portable computer. Each level down will undergo a detailed exam of the horizontal and vertical profile and depth of
any finds and features...and entered into the site record. The archaeologist knows that excavation will actually destroy the
site, so very detailed records must be kept. He or she has only one shot at it. The name of the game is observation and recording.
And besides written notes there will be art and photos.
There will also be a daily log written - as a ship captain's
daily log.
Then, finally, there will be a formal report written, which will probably appear in some journal to be shared
with other scholars.
Also, along the way there might be "popular accounts" written for local newspapers or
some other publications.
So, archaeologists do a lot of writing and recording and various written analyses. Your site
will be documented in such a good way that if need be it could be reconstructed someplace else. Again, don't touch any of
this scene before you unless trained in archaeological method.
THE RULE OF SCIENCE IN ARCHAEOLOGY.
All of the above
rules are really science in action. Archaeology is a science. Science is the way we all must go. This scientific approach
will capture vastly more information than just indescriminate pot-holing or curio collecting. This scientific organized approach
was invented by Aristotle. The more all of us can study science the better.
Ron Miller, Mar. 26, 2007
THE RULE
OF GOOD SURFACE COLLECTING
Hunting artifacts - surface collecting -is great fun and sport. Many folks do this. They get
out in the great outdoors. It's wonderful exercise - all that walking and bending over to see if that speck of stone might
be an artifact. All of them have "arrowhead hunting sticks" that besides being used as a walking stick is helpful
in turning over those specks and odd looking things. Still a lot of bending is involved.
My Dad and I and sometimes
a neighbor and some little friends would go arrowhead hunting - or surface collecting as the archaeologists say. We really
did a good deed, because as things would have it, the arrowhead-hunting fields around Branson and Hollister where we looked
has now
been overgrown with all kinds of building projects that happened because of the unbelievable "Branson theatre
boom" like a new gold rush! So, if we hadn't done this, think of all the antiquity that would have been lost. I finally
got around to publishing much of our finds in WAS Special Publication #16 - The Archaeology and Anthropology of the Branson-Hollister,
Missouri Area....With Thoughts on Archaeology as Part of the Environmental Picture and Archaeoturism - Putting Antiquity to
Work Today." A windy title, but there is a lot involved. And, I still have many of our finds to study and organize.
This brings up the rule for good surface-collecting. You need to keep site records. You can get site forms from
your
state archaeological society or some other good society. Letter a little code in India ink on the artifact:
State No.
(when it entered the Union), County abbreviation,
and site number. Give it an arbitrary no. if none is available...and
note in your catalog of artifacts. Yes, keep a catalong...and keep a copy away from your house "museum" in case
something drastic happens you'll still have a record. You can have all kinds of fun with these artifacts. Look up styles in
Point Type Books...there are dozens out there now - one of the greatest developments of archaeology. But back at the original
site, put finds in bags per the site areas and label on the bags...info. above and anything else of importance, say, 50 feet
southwest of farmer Jone's barn. Use a US Geological Survey Map (these are great) and mark on the map for double checking.
Now, you may want to do a report for your local society. Great! Now, you are really getting those artifacts out of the ole'
shoe box or fruit jar and into the flow of science. You are helping the public greatly...and far into the future. Just think
of all the good you are doing! No one else is going to do it. Really quite a responsibility for you and society. If you don't
do it, the info will be lost forever! Holy Cats! You are extremely important.
I have just hit some of the high spots
here, but you can see the importance of good surface-collecting. So, have great fun...and go an extra step or two and help
society. Your information is priceless!
Ron. Entered Nov. 3, 2008
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