Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology [Paperback]

Kenneth L. Feder (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0874849713 | ISBN-13: 978-0874849714 | Publication Date: April 1990

A comparison of the hypotheses and approaches of pseudo-archaeologists to those of archaeologists and other scientists. By describing the flaws in the purported evidence for each claim, the author exposes students to the thinking and methodology that underlie real scientific research.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Feder obtained his B.A. in anthropology in 1973 from the State University of New York at Stonybrook. He obtained his M.A. in anthropology in 1975 from the University of Connecticut and his Ph.D. from the same institution in 1982. He has taught in the Department of Anthropology at Central Connecticut State University since 1977 where he is now a full professor. His primary research interests include the archaeology of the native peoples of New England and the analysis of public perceptions about the human past. He is the founder and director of the Farmington River Archaeological Project, a long-term investigation of the prehistory of the Farmington River Valley. He is the author and co-author of several books including: Human Antiquity: An Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Archaeology (with Michael Park; now in its fifth edition; McGraw-Hill); Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology (about to appear in its seventh edition; McGraw-Hill); The Past In Perspective: An Introduction to Human Prehistory (about to appear in its fifth edition; Oxford University Press); and Linking to the Past: A Brief Introduction to Archaeology (now in its second edition; Oxford University Press). Finally, he is the author of A Village of Outcasts: Historical Archaeology and Documentary Research at the Lighthouse Site (Mayfield Publishing). When he's not digging in the dirt or writing books, he likes to hang out with his one wife, two kids, and four very bad cats. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Mayfield Pub Co (April 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874849713
• ISBN-13: 978-0874849714
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,672,952 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding for archeology and skeptic enthusiats, January 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology (Paperback)

This is an outstanding book written as a result of the author's own reading in the paranormal genre. Kenneth Feder points out how believable he found "The Morning of the Magicians" until it wandered into his own field of expertise: archeology. After comparing notes with chemists, physicists, historians, etc. he found the same response-- that such books seem perfectly logical--at least in areas in which one has no knowledge.

All the big name hoaxes are here: the Cardiff Giant, Piltdown Man, the Shroud of Turin; but presented in a way that's fresh for the initiated and straight forward for the budding archeologist; and since he's writing as an archeologist, Feder never lapses into the bitter sarcasm so common to skeptical writers.

There are surprises: who knew one of the largest pyramids in the world was in St. Louis, or that the Shroud of Turin was declared a fake in 1359? Above all Feder's love of archeology and sincere delight in the real mysteries of the past should make this book required reading for anyone interested in human history.

28 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superlative, March 7, 2001

By 

GF (State College, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology (Paperback)

A superlative journey to the edges of reason and beyond with a witty and knowledgable guide. As the claims of self-styled "alternative" historians of the ancient past gain more and more publicity, it is excellent to encounter such a balanced and well-reasoned antidote to their poison. Particularly useful is to realize that the supposedly "new" theories of the likes of Graham Hancock(who is not addressed in the book, unfortunately) are, in reality, little more than recycled flim-flam from earlier speculative and paranormal movements.

One previous reviewer brands the book "too sceptical," which is nonsense. Feder actually subscribes to the Theran theory for the origins of the Atlantis myth (which I personally do not), but the investigative process by which he reaches this conclusion is clearly charted in the text. He is no dogmatist, dismissing ideas out of hand. He carefully presents the cases for and against various claims and exposes flaws based on a comparison with the observable evidence and archaeological procedure. In any case, it is also hard to see how one could be "too sceptical" about claims that aliens built the pyramids.

An excellent read. Highly recommended to any with an interest in "alternative" archaeology, esp. if you've tended to believe such "theories" in the past.

31 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Guide to Reason vs. Faith in Archeology, October 30, 2001

By 

C. J. Hardman (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology (Paperback)

Kenneth Feder has collected a whooole bunch of examples of funny hoaxes and archaeological misadventure in this curiously good book. Read about the Cardiff Giant scam, the Piltdown man hoax, Noah's ark tomfoolery and fakery, the slippery slope of Creationist craziness, Atlantis Atrophy, the Shredded evidence for the Shroud of Turin, and more!

Feder's volume is interesting, stimulating, and even if you are a well read skeptic, you will probably learn something new. I personally was reminded how easy it is to fool people who want to believe something and aren't moved to investigate or challenge the beliefs they are comfortable with. The gist of the book seems to be that people who rely mostly upon faith can end up believing just about anything, while those who are inclined to question and test new information via logic, scientific methods, and common sense are more likely to actually uncover the facts for themselves, doing away with faith altogether.