3 ms·

Interesting, but ambivalent if removing them in the name of science is any more valid than removing them to sell? I'm not sure the occupants would make the dist

Interesting, but ambivalent if removing them in the name of science is any more valid than removing them to sell? I'm not sure the occupants would make the distinction .

drawkward 2y ago
Well, they are dead, so probably the "occupants" have no feelings about it. Should we be concerned with how rocks feel too?
tempodox 2y ago
Once the tombs have been discovered, how long until regular grave robbers make their appearance to “take care” of them? At least this way the finds are open to scientific examination instead of being molten down and sold for profit.
- halosghost 2y ago
  I've never quite understood how it is so easy for people to rationalize this thought-process: “<X := some motivation assumed to be widely shared like greed> means that someone will <Y := do some morally-questionable to morally-unacceptable act>;” therefore, if the speaker's motivation is even arguably less bad than X, it somehow justifies the speaker doing exactly Y first. Recovering artifacts “for science” almost never benefits humanity in the short-term (and it's questionable if the average case fares better over the long-term). More often than not over our history, it has involved desecration and has enabled essentialism, and serves to benefit private collectors more than any other party (frequently to the exclusion of scientists). Maybe the energy used to “get there first” would be better put towards making sure the burial remains are respected, or at least ensuring that whatever descendants remain are given legal stewardship. All the best,
  - Cpoll 2y ago
    > Whatever descendants remain are given legal stewardship. After 2000 years, those mummies either have too many descendants to count, or none at all.
  - sandworm101 2y ago
    Early egyptology wasnt about science. Ancient egypt was backdrop to many stories from the bible. Historians were looking to learn more about those events from a literate culture that lived alongside them. They were hoping to confirm or elaborate upon christianity. Only later, after almost zero mention was found, did egyptology evolve away from being a religious mission.
  - spiderice 2y ago
    > it somehow justifies the speaker doing exactly Y first. I think you have a difficult time understanding it because you're equating two things that aren't equal. They aren't doing "exactly Y" if Y is "robbing a grave purely for personal profit without consulting with anyone else first". There is a difference between grave robbing and getting permits from governments, researching, displaying findings in a way that benefits others, etc.. The fact that there is an article in popular mechanics about this means that it isn't "exactly Y".
sandworm101 2y ago
Mummies scientifically preserved in museums and visited by hordes of people from all over the world. Scientists and historians trying to learn about thier lives, even trying to rediscover thier words. The pharaohs might appreciate the effort. They didnt biuld such elaborate funeral structures to be forgotten.
- dole 2y ago
  Growing up in a mid-sized midwestern city with an art museum and resident mummy, the mummy and room of Egyptian artifacts was honestly one of the most exciting and main reasons for going to the museum besides the rest of the art. Hopefully they would see the Memphis Bass Pro as tribute.

Interesting, but ambivalent if removing them in the name of science is any more valid than removing them to sell? I'm not sure the occupants would make the distinction .

drawkward 2y ago

Well, they are dead, so probably the "occupants" have no feelings about it. Should we be concerned with how rocks feel too?

tempodox 2y ago

Once the tombs have been discovered, how long until regular grave robbers make their appearance to “take care” of them? At least this way the finds are open to scientific examination instead of being molten down and sold for profit.

halosghost 2y ago
I've never quite understood how it is so easy for people to rationalize this thought-process: “<X := some motivation assumed to be widely shared like greed> means that someone will <Y := do some morally-questionable to morally-unacceptable act>;” therefore, if the speaker's motivation is even arguably less bad than X, it somehow justifies the speaker doing exactly Y first. Recovering artifacts “for science” almost never benefits humanity in the short-term (and it's questionable if the average case fares better over the long-term). More often than not over our history, it has involved desecration and has enabled essentialism, and serves to benefit private collectors more than any other party (frequently to the exclusion of scientists). Maybe the energy used to “get there first” would be better put towards making sure the burial remains are respected, or at least ensuring that whatever descendants remain are given legal stewardship. All the best,
- Cpoll 2y ago
  > Whatever descendants remain are given legal stewardship. After 2000 years, those mummies either have too many descendants to count, or none at all.
- sandworm101 2y ago
  Early egyptology wasnt about science. Ancient egypt was backdrop to many stories from the bible. Historians were looking to learn more about those events from a literate culture that lived alongside them. They were hoping to confirm or elaborate upon christianity. Only later, after almost zero mention was found, did egyptology evolve away from being a religious mission.
- spiderice 2y ago
  > it somehow justifies the speaker doing exactly Y first. I think you have a difficult time understanding it because you're equating two things that aren't equal. They aren't doing "exactly Y" if Y is "robbing a grave purely for personal profit without consulting with anyone else first". There is a difference between grave robbing and getting permits from governments, researching, displaying findings in a way that benefits others, etc.. The fact that there is an article in popular mechanics about this means that it isn't "exactly Y".

sandworm101 2y ago

Mummies scientifically preserved in museums and visited by hordes of people from all over the world. Scientists and historians trying to learn about thier lives, even trying to rediscover thier words. The pharaohs might appreciate the effort. They didnt biuld such elaborate funeral structures to be forgotten.

dole 2y ago
Growing up in a mid-sized midwestern city with an art museum and resident mummy, the mummy and room of Egyptian artifacts was honestly one of the most exciting and main reasons for going to the museum besides the rest of the art. Hopefully they would see the Memphis Bass Pro as tribute.