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Introducing the "Castle of Aemstel" award - Printable Version

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Introducing the "Castle of Aemstel" award - Jona Lendering - 05-31-2006

Every month we can read them: reports about sensational archaeological discoveries. Often, the news is so sensational, that it is immediately clear that the aim of the press release is to generate publicity and raise funds (cf. [url:2edff13w]http://www.livius.org/opinion/opinion0004.html[/url]).

To 'encourage' this type of creative writing, the Castle of Aemstel prize will be awarded to the archaeologists who have best succeeded in misinforming the press. It is called after a fake discovery in Amsterdam in 1994.

Until now, the jury (which consists, to avoid needless discussion and leaks from the deliberations, of one person :wink: ) has announced the prize several times in the "Livius Newsletter". This time, the jury prefers to announce it to a larger audience; it hopes that next month, we can first nominate several press releases and organize a poll. (Your suggestions are welcome.)

This time, our prestigious award is given to the Roman Forum excavators and the BBC, for publishing

[url:2edff13w]http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5031974.stm[/url]

The jury is impressed. Although the article mentions that it has been known for some time that people were living in Rome during the Bronze Age, we are supposed to believe that this is an important discovery. However, Bronze Age tombs have already been known for some time, even from the Forum, and the connection with the foundation of Rome is simply misleading.

People have been living in Rome from the mid-second millennium. Urbanization is defined as the clustering of hilltop villages during the period known as Latial IIb. This used to be dated to c.830-c.770, based on ceramics dating. In the meantime, the first 14C dates are known, and Latial IIb and the urbanization of Rome are now dated to c.900-c.850/820.

There is nothing surprising about our skeleton, except for the publicity. The jury is deeply impressed by so much creativity and congratulates the winners of the Castle of Aemstel Award.

Hall of shame (announced in the Livius Newsletter):
May: [url:2edff13w]http://www.forbes.com/2002/05/29/0529conn.html[/url]
April: [url:2edff13w]http://www.momentmag.com/olam/Apr06/MOM-2006-04_mazar.html[/url]
March: [url:2edff13w]http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20051114/goliath_arc.html[/url]

Your suggestions are welcome!
(Rule: [size=75:2edff13w]This pseudo-award should create some awareness about misleading press coverage. It is not meant to break people's careers or to bring people in trouble. It is too easy to nominate excavators in non-democratic countries, who are sometimes forced to make bold claims for other than financial aims.[/size])

Re: Introducing the "Castle of Aemstel" award - Robert Vermaat - 05-31-2006

Brilliant idea Jona! Keep us up to date whenever you award a new one, will you?
And.. maybe Christy can design a nice award logo for you?

Re: Introducing the "Castle of Aemstel" award - satsobek - 05-31-2006

Certainly, if he actually wants one!

Though, I dunno what it would look like. I'm actually curious to hear if anyone has any ideas about that. :lol:

Re: Introducing the "Castle of Aemstel" award - Tarbicus - 05-31-2006

A 'Trooper' helm :twisted: With the cruddy crest as well :twisted: :twisted:

Re: Introducing the "Castle of Aemstel" award - Narukami - 05-31-2006

If I might be so bold as to suggest the new Terry Jones documentary about Celtic civilization.

The thread (The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Myth) is further down in this topic.

Granted this is not really a press release so it might belong in a category all its own, however, based upon the response of many members here and the reviews by the one or two who have actually seen it, Mr. Jones looks like a prime candidate for an award in recognition of his efforts to tell us the same old news once again and as if for the first time.

The Mountain Out Of A mole Hill award... :wink:

Narukami

Re: Introducing the "Castle of Aemstel" award - Narukami - 05-31-2006

Quote:A 'Trooper' helm :twisted: With the cruddy crest as well :twisted: :twisted:


Yes, something along the lines of a helmet with a scrub brush for a crest, like that worn by Marvin The Martian from the old Bugs Bunny cartoons. Tongue

Narukami

Re: Introducing the "Castle of Aemstel" award - Tarbicus - 05-31-2006

Quote:
Tarbicus:3p323krh Wrote:A 'Trooper' helm :twisted: With the cruddy crest as well :twisted: :twisted:


Yes, something along the lines of a helmet with a scrub brush for a crest, like that worn by Marvin The Martian from the old Bugs Bunny cartoons. Tongue

Narukami

One of the black leather ones!!!

Marvin the Martian - superb :lol:

[Image: MarvinMartian.gif]

Re: Introducing the "Castle of Aemstel" award - Jona Lendering - 05-31-2006

Quote:Certainly, if he actually wants one!
Perhaps it is better not to waste time to creating an award; after all, I do not expect that the BBC will proudly show our prestigious award on its website...
Quote:Terry Jones
Good one.