Re: Early Friday Funny

I’m still mulling over the request from a student (research methods class in history) for “primary sources” on ancient Egypt from our Land-grant University Archives.

 


From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Leon Miller
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 11:39 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Early Friday Funny

 

"I pointed out (admittedly with a grin on my face) that archival holdings of papers by prehistoric artists tend to be scarce, since they would by definition predate the written word."

 

I know of one well-known, well-respected archivist who got very angry at a public meeting when it was suggested that history requires writing. After the meeting was over, I asked an historian what had happened to the idea of pre-history, and he said it was his impression that "pre-history" as a concept was no longer in fashion. Literate or pre-literate, history or prehistoric, it's all just history now, he said.

 

I didn't know what to make of that, but I don't think I like it.

 

Lee

 

----
Leon C. Miller, Manuscripts Librarian
Special Collections, Jones Hall
Tulane University Libraries
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
ph: 504-865-5685, fx: 504-865-5761, [log in to unmask]
http://specialcollections.tulane.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Bart Ryckbosch
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 10:32 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Early Friday Funny

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