Wednesday, December 2, 2026

Over the last few decades, archaeology has been under attack from many fronts. Pseudoarchaeology has dramatically increased in popularity. While it might seem easy to laugh off and ignore, as these claims are widely divorced from the reality of our lived experience as archaeologists, the savvy tactics used by pseudoscientist influencers means that misinformation has a real cost on the field of archaeology and its stakeholders.

Pseudoarchaeologists have an outsized impact on the public perception of our field, with best-selling books in the archaeology section, top TV shows and online videos, and major media headlines. These impacts have had a knock-on effect on excavations, heritage management, and the antiquities market across the world.

Due to the increasing frequency of these negative impacts, we must become informed and respond in an effective manner. In this paper, I critically examine my own journey in high-profile engagement with pseudoarchaeology, from Joe Rogan and newspaper headlines to Twitter and YouTube. Drawing upon up-to-date misinformation research, I present effective strategies for engaging with the media and on social media, addressing the dangers and benefits of public engagement.

The message is clear: we have to speak up about archaeology and its importance in our world.

Please use this link for registration:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/dXbDJCoMR3edFixx9WNTXw