Archaeology in the Media

Watch Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark or one of the other 3 Indiana Jones
movies. While watching think about how Hollywood portrays archaeology. Think about what constitutes
the job of an archaeologist – what they do, how they do it, why they do it. After viewing the movie and
doing the readings, write a 2-3 page double-spaced (standard fonts and margins) essay addressing “what
is archaeology according to Dr. Jones?” and also what it should be. Use specific examples from the
movie, from the short humorous article, and from other class content and at least ONE ADDITIONAL
READING to illustrate what you think archaeology is according to Dr. Jones and what Dr. Jones might be
missing in his life as an archaeologist. You will be responsible for finding and using the one additional
reading.
Additional Content:
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VkiLM3q3pM>
<https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/back-from-yet-another-globetrotting-adventureindiana-jones-checks-his-mail-and-discovers-that-his-bid-for-tenure-has-been-denied>

Writing a Review
A good review connects the dots between the film and the class. In what way does this film contribute
to the discipline of archaeology/anthropology? How does the film broaden my understanding of
archaeology? Which concepts/methods/technologies/time periods that we studied in class does this
film use or misuse?
You are being asked to do the following:
* Describe or summarize an Indiana Jones film (very briefly don’t spend much time at all summarizing
the plot; I have seen the movies many times!)
* Analyze and interpret it as related to the key themes and concepts covered in class
* Evaluate it
* Relate it to scholarship or to the themes of the course or archaeology.