by Jennifer Naze
Myths, legends and story have some core elements that they follow. They explain how things came to be, teach lessons and values, unify a group or define a group’s identity, explain social or religious rituals and most importantly entertain. Cultures all over the world have their own mythology and by reading some stories archaeologists can learn about the people of that area. Some of the best known myths come from Greece. One Greek myth is about the story of Medusa. Medusa was the daughter of Gaia and Okeanos and was gifted with great beauty. Medusa also lived in the far north, where the sun didn’t visit. She asked the Goddess Athena for permission to visit the south so she could see the sun. Athena denied the request. Medusa got extremely angry for being denied the opportunity to see the sun. So, she started telling people that Athena was jealous of her beauty and that is why she couldn’t visit the south. At hearing this, Athena got angry and punished Medusa by turning hair into snakes and cursing her by making her so ugly that whomever looked into her eyes would turn into stone. What can one learn from this Greek myth? What does the story say about the people of Greece? These are the types of questions archaeologists ask themselves when on the hunt for answers about peoples of the past.
Sometimes archaeologists don’t have stories to use as a clue about ancient peoples. Imprints from ancient peoples can be found in the form of art, tools, cookware and weapons. Recently the Marquette Regional History Center received a donation of pictograph reproductions made by the Copper Country Ancient Sites Conservation group. Pictographs are a form of hieroglyphics. The donations replicate pictographs found in the Copper Country and have archaeologists baffled about one pictograph in particular. The “Ship” has elements of Mediterranean vessels and Bronze Age maritime art, but there is no evidence to support the theory that peoples of the Mediterranean came to get copper from the Keweenaw during the Bronze Age. That leaves the questions of how did this image end up in the Copper Country, who made it and why. There is another theory that a mischievous college student made it to get archaeologists excited about a “find”. But lichen found around the pictograph was studied and it indicates the age of the pictograph is at least one hundred years old or older. The “Ship” is surrounded in mystery. Could you discover something about this historic clue that would help archaeologists investigate a current theory...or give them a new one to research?
As the Marquette Regional History Center celebrates archaeology with countries all over the world, we welcome the public to join us on Saturday October 19th, from 12:00pm to 3:00pm during the International Archaeology Day Kids’ Fair. There will be something for all ages. The fair activities are included with the price of admission. For more information call, (906) 226-3571.