Fictional archaeologists

[jack]

This came up at the emergency party at the weekend (although I can't remember why now, I think we were talking about why we like Indiana Jones). Casey and Andy comic [1] had one strip where they rated how nerdy various answers to questions was, one being "Name a fictional archaeologist". It was a good concept, although I (and I think others) disagreed with the answers somewhat.

Fortunately we realised the *real* nerd response was to immediately critique the test and start listing fictional archaeologists in order of how nerdy they are to think of first.

1. Indiana Jones. This was given as the normal response, least nerdy. After all, Indiana Jones is a mainstream classic. However, most of the geeks I know agree with that.

2. Lara Croft. This was given as a geekier response, which is probably true. Although most geeks I know think Lara Croft is a bit passe :)

3. Daniel Jackson from stargate. More obscure, and he actually is geeky himself.

4. Henry Jones, Sr. Slightly more specific than Indian.

5. Henry Jones, Jr. Strictly more geeky than "Indiana", as it requires a detailed knowledge of the series.

6. Someone from a good space-opera I hadn't read.

7. The senior Dalrymple, Earl of Scarborough, from Pippa's work in progress, it being even geekier to *write* about a momentous discovery of linguistics/archaeology.

8. Some other fictionalised *actual* archaeologist.

9. Pham Nuwen, from Vernor Vinge's Fire Upon the Deep and Deepness in the Sky, a software archaeologist. I was very proud of this one, I thought it wins.

But does anyone have a 10?

[1] although this strip on a similar theme is a lot more epic.

Comments

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Ah, interesting one. That makes me think of a similar (but imho better, timeline seemed a bit formulaic) story by Tim Powers, though I don't think any of them were actually archaeologists.

Boy, I'm getting tired of typing that word!

You've never seen Indiana Jones films? They're pretty fun. He's a practising archaeologist (at least supposedly), a lecturer, who finds a lot of one-off famous pieces directed to the university museum. But he's more like an anti-tomb robber, he's always creeping through a tomb full of traps, grabbing some sacred thing, and escaping, fighting his way out past grave robbers, superstitious tribesmen and nazis.

I don't think any of the ones I described are pretend archaeologists, though some are not a very realistic portrayal, but some of the ones in the comments are apparently posing.

[despotliz.livejournal.com]

That makes me think of a similar (but imho better, timeline seemed a bit formulaic) story by Tim Powers

Anubis Gates? I don't recall any of them being actual archaeologists.

I suspect number 6 might be Sylveste from Alastair Reynolds' Revelation Space, if not you can put him on there.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Yes, and yes.

> Sylveste

Yes, I'm pretty sure it was. Very good guess!

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

I suppose I have to go read it now.

[despotliz.livejournal.com]

You should, it's pretty good. Or read Chasm City, same universe but slightly better IMHO. I would lend them to you but they are at my parent's house so it will be a while till I can fetch them, and I only have inferior Reynolds novels currently in my flat. :)

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I *think* Reynolds is one I've had recommended but not tried yet (rather than one I tried one of and it didn't agree with me), so I think I should. Thank you very much for the offer, I think I've had several people offering those at some point, I'll just have to lower my resistance at a carefully chosen socially opportune moment :)

Is Chasm City one of the standalones? Someone-at-pizza recommended either the first of the (only? most famous?) series, or one of the standalones which they liked, but I can't remember which.

I only have inferior Reynolds novels currently in my flat. :)

:) Quick, put traps down before they start breeding and colonise the whole bookcase :)

[d37373.livejournal.com]

To butt in, I would also recommend Reynolds - particularly Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Cool! OK, I'm slowly being convinced I actually do have to try Reynolds properly. Although unfortunately three different people have recommended three different ones as best to start with.