No really, why so many STUNNED archaeologists these days?

Every Monday we publish an exclusive short podcast for our Patreon supporters called the Monday Moot! This time though, we thought we'd share it to the wider world and here's a video of us recording the show. (Moot: noun - an assembly held for debate, especially in Anglo-Saxon and medieval times).
Anyone who was viewing our Prehistory Question Time last Thursday • PREHISTORY Q&A LIVE! W... will have seen Michael go on a mini-rant about how archaeology is often represented in media headlines. It's not a question of LIKING them or not - but that we suspect, over time, a drumbeat of 'archaeologists stunned' sends a skewed message about archaeology and science in general. What do you think?
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[@Bhh-j2s]

“Archaeologists stunned to find broken pieces of pottery. What they found in trench 5 will shock you.”

[@sillyquiet]

ARCHAEOLOGISTS STUNNED by STUNNED ARCHAEOLOGISTS

[@robertcrusader5019]

Stunningly stunned they were !!!

[@RoseWitchRose]

😂

[@Oddball5.0]

I'm an archaeologist, and I have to say I'm stunned by this.

[@Archangelm127]

"Boffins baffled" has to be my favorite clickbait phrase. So British. ❤

[@futurepig]

Wasp nest disturbed while opening ancient tomb. Archeologists stung.

[@voodoojedizin4353]

I don't mind as much the archaeologist's stunned headlines. As I do the countless KZbin channels consisting of, alien creations, ancient high-tech civilizations, Atlantis has been found, or the Religious and mysticism incorporated into archaeology sites. And the videos by the dozens mystified by stone wall construction, which usually includes high tech civilizations and aliens.

[@GenerationJonesi]

Don't forget "Forbidden Archaeology-- what "they" don't want you to see". Hahaha!

[@dcchiasson5991]

“The Best-Kept Secrets of Archaeology” has to be one of my faves.

[@robertcrusader5019]

Amazingly stunning forbidden archeology !!!

[@levitation25]

A couple of years ago a tabloid newspaper made up a story about someone making a guest appearance on a popular TV show after hearing that this person nearly made a guest appearance in series 1 but didn't! Excited by this possible guest appearance that never happened and wishing it did, the tabloid published a story making it appear that the guest appearance was going to happen and they would appear in the next series! What made it worse was newspapers, magazines and sites around the world cited the dodgy article misinforming fans of the TV show around the world who then looked forward to this guest appearance. Unsurprisingly the guest appearance never happened and the tabloid and those that copied their article made no further comment about it. People still buy this tabloid but not me I've got more sense than to trust liars.

[@k8eekatt]

As always, thought provoking and humorous.

[@lanahanbrian0]

I remember that headline about the "computer" and purposely not clicking on it cause it sounded so stupid.

[@RalphEllis]

The worst one recently, was Zahi Hawass. Press-Release... The ‘Lost Golden City’ of Amenhotep III has recently been discovered near Luxor (Thebes). So what is the truth here? In reality this site was the worker-village for the artisans working on the Temple of the royal scribe Amenhotep son of Hapu, who was the chief scribe of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. This village was first excavated by Robichon and Varille in 1936, and their report was called ‘The Temple of the royal scribe of Amenhotep, son of Hapou’. So the site was not a city, it was not golden, it was not lost, snd it did not belong to Amenhotep III. Apart from this, Zahi Hawass was correct. Ralph

[@RoamGaming]

The article i read on the same site said that Zahi discovered it himself.

[@RalphEllis]

(Zahi discovered). Yup - in the Zahi world, everything rotates around Zahi. He is a showman, not an academic. What he means is he discovered the 1936 French excavation report…..! Ralph

[@zazadem7729]

Je ne regarde jamais le titre : ce qui m’intéresse c’est l’émission. Toujours intéressante avec vous !

[@BrentJJ]

Hello from New Brunswick, Canada

[@blkrs123]

Göbeklitepe​ overshadowed by giant custard cream...was revealed today...)

[@michaelsargeaunt]

Archæologists stunned when they walked into a cattle-prod, and then shocked when the lurched backwards onto an electric fence.

[@robertcrusader5019]

I was amazingly stunned by the hidden mystery of an enigmatic ritual wooden bird-like ancient bird figurine found in Paris sewer.

[@zeideerskine3462]

While I never find anything stunning in any of those video, I frequently find KZbin archaeologists of Graham Crackpot kind stunningly stupid.

[@andybeans5790]

Scientists are often stunned too

[@BlueBaron3339]

"Archeologists aroused by Pharoah Narmer Proclamation" *_I will go boating. Have brought to me 20 paddles of ebony, wrought with gold. Have brought to me 20 women of those with the fairest limbs, beauteous breasts, and braided tresses, such as have not yet given birth. And, moreover, have brought to me 20 nets and give these nets to the women instead of their clothes._* It's true, but much like the Greek "computer" it was discovered at least a century ago. Alternate headline: Archeologists 'excited' by discovery of the origin of fishnet lingerie. 😂 🤣

[@stuant63]

Stunning with stones.

[@ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΊΑΜΟΙΡΑ]

archeaologists found the Anticethera mechanism but it had stayed for years in the museum storage rooms until about 60 when someone noticed it and started looking to it !What it was why it was and such things !But what is astonishing now is the new technology is used to desifer all the aspects of it .For us people that are not scientists or historians we like to understand new interpretetions of artifacts that even if they are found years ago are coming to life now like the desiferment of the library in Herculaneum that had books burned by the volcano ! Thank you!

[@chappellroseholt5740]

Good afternoon from the SF Bay Area a year later. Stunned! Stunned! Shocked that there is gambling in Rick's!!!

[@TheBiancap]

Archeologists are ‘stunned’ because journalists and all of us really think that we are sooooo much more ‘progressed ’ there is nothing interesting to discover … So every time something is discovered that hints on the fact that we are not all that clever/progressed …. It’s stunning

[@halfpinthero912]

Archaeologists stunned when Express report a genuinely new discovery.

[@RoseWitchRose]

Indeed, real information preferred!

[@sarahspencer9360]

I watch a TON or astronomy content and there are just as many astonished and amazed astronomers out there, too. It's SO ANNOYING.

[@LauraLeeSolomon]

I thought astronomers to be more usually described as "baffled"

[@deormanrobey892]

KZbin viewer stunned to receive Patreon content on "free" account!! 🤯😁

[@butterchuggins5409]

Archeologists stoned by ancient substance

[@jimmyviaductophilelawley5587]

Hi there...I was AFK when you answered my question last week. Thanks a lot for always entertaining my sense of wonder! BTW I just found out that legally, anyone watching a KZbin livestream is required (by law) to have a valid UK TV licence (if they live in the UK)!!!!! Next time you go live it might be useful to make people fully aware of this fact? I know hardly anyone will care but they don't take ignorance as a defence! Absolutely appalling! Best wishes and take care

[@RoseWitchRose]

Thanks Guy's

[@chaconoid]

Archeologists stunned by the press’s laziness and public’s gullible ignorance. 😂

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

The premise is to cast a negative slant towards "Scientists" (in general) as a way of proving they don't have all the answers. These are usually posted by "religious" Zealots.

[@cargumdeu]

well that was illuminating.

[@desideriitube]

I can think of several ways to actually stun an archaeologist. 1. Just let us know if you need any more funding. 2. Don't worry, take all the time you need. 3. Do you want me to carry that for you? 4. You're an archaeologist? Well, drinks are on the house then!

[@ptonpc]

I hate it click bait. I only open the video if it is from someone I trust, even then I still get annoyed at then.

[@helenamcginty4920]

Scientists are also routinely shocked.

[@michaelmiller609]

HAHA I read a few of the articles you mentioned and thought the same thing...recycling of old discoveries for clickbate.

[@turfblacksmith]

Archaeologists Stunned at how idiotic journalists have become.

[@lene6641]

So the "Stonehenge built by sailors" article's whole substance was "Archaeologists stunned to find that Britain is an island"? The sad thing is that journalists could make headlines about archaeology engaging if only they put a little more thought into it. This clickbaity kind of journalism is a big part of the reason why people still think aliens built the pyramids and other such rubbish.

[@HypaBumfuzzle]

😆😆😆🧡🧡 I love your videos sirs!

[@janetmackinnon3411]

Click- baits waste our time! They send us to nonsense and lies. !

[@JimBagby74]

I've noticed that when people think of Archeologists as "stunned", they automatically assume that the more Hancockian types are the opposite, and in fact not stunned, ergo, justified. This can occur even if the article has nothing to do with all any pseudoscience or alternative claims. I've seen this response happen first-hand to an intelligent person, so there's no telling how many less intelligent people get confused. It's a binary judgment based on not knowing what archeologists already know for the most part as I think you mentioned, and assuming that there's an accompanying rivalry and a side that must be taken.

[@TheDeadlyDan]

Was someone running around the last British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology conference with a cattle prod? { edit: oops. commented on the title, then listened. 😀Doctors are befuddled. Astronomers are surprised. Scientists are shocked. I think each field has it's own. Isn't being stunned far more exciting than would being befuddled? Cheer up. You're in an exciting field! }

[@TheDanEdwards]

It's the "general public" that wants this clickbait. That's why clickbait exists - because the writers know the audience want it.

[@bang7764]

Never mind being stunned, I'm constantly amused at how clumsy archeologists are - based on news articles, they're always stumbling over finds!

[@elizabethmcglothlin5406]

Because interesting discovery just doesn't have the same ring to it.

[@Tipi_Dan]

Art imitates life and low-brow culture is dragged along for the ride a day late and a dollar short. These hyperbolic tabloid spreads about archeologists being stunned about nonsense wouldn't be possible if archeologists weren't actually stunned in real life. And THEY ARE--- by the myriad new discoveries in Paleolithic southeast Anatolia, by the Etruscan votive bronzes, by the Bronze Etruscan caldrons in southern Gaul, the important megalithic and iron Age discoveries in Iberia, by the new rich Anglo-Saxon hoards in England, and by the overmastering synergy of archeology and genomics. The historians, archeologists, and attendant enthusiasts I know are walking around all agog these days. Stunned.

[@lenabreijer1311]

It is because in the average reader/watchers mind archeologists are lumped with Von Danikan and the ancient aliens. There is always "stunning " implications for those guys.

[@bryn494]

Archaeologists stunned to discover the internet is for entertainment purposes only :O

[@rachelconrod9810]

Indiana Jones syndrome .

[@charlottemarek3045]

If you haven't seen any Doctors (or anybody else) Astonished headlines, you must not be on Facebook. LOL! Seriously, is the Daily Express considered to be a reputable news source? We find that type of thing in supermarket tabloids all the time in the US.

[@RoseWitchRose]

Or just plain sad? 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@zelly8163]

READ ALL ABOUT IT: "Archaeologists stunned when trowel reveals 1500 hundred year old adulterer."

[@yoursotruly]

Clickbait: Scientists can't explain shocking discovery! Story: Mice chewed some wires in their circuit board.

[@drocles]

Its always the same, everything comes down to 💲💲💲$$$####££££€€¥¥¥¥₩₩₩

[@JohnPaul-ii]

I’d rather be stunned than tasered. Just kidding.

[@helenamcginty4920]

Actually I am now no longer stunned by the amazing ignorance of anything other than the most mundane stuff evidenced by most people I meet.

[@Andrea_Manconi]

I do mind clickbait headlines regarding important things such as archaeology ("sloppy" at best, I suspect they don't know what they're talking about nor they care).

[@greendragonreprised6885]

It's a variation on 'Boffins sent back to the drawing board by XXX discovery'. Utter nonsense.

[@helenamcginty4920]

Its probably just that the journalist was stunned. They seem to be so ignorant of what anyone with a lively interest in the world around them has known for years.

[@youngloenoe]

Journalism continues to rapidly decay.

[@abisu5273]

The Ancients were as clearly as clever as us. But when we look at humans today we should remember that probably not much changed over time. There were thinkers, questioners, organisers, manipulators and manipulated, strong and weak, powerful and enslaved. Greed and denial. The clever and the not so clever. The gullible and the cynical. And lazy and sensational reporting. Sorry for depressing note but I don't see the species evolving to change all that.

[@marysibayan5643]

Evolution does not mean advancement.

[@romullen3971]

It appeals to the imagination.

[@christienjanson6530]

There is a strong connection with the Christian fundamentalists, is there not? The 'the earth is not more than 6000 years old' kind of people?

[@cynthiapowell5198]

And you don’t know if It’s true 🙏🏾📖📖📖📖

[@barbarabarbaraf494]

So annoying as it all seems old news

[@zigavojska1672]

annoying laughing babling faces