Category Archives: indigenous culture

Zimbabwe’s “Lost” Jewish Tribe

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Nicholas Merkelson

The all-too-popular myth of “lost” tribes of humans is an enchanting one. When in recent years the chance discovery of one of these mysterious indigenous groups actually becomes a reality, news stories have been keen to capture the anthropological significance and … Continue reading →

Posted in humankind, indigenous culture, Judaism, Lemba, Wade Davis, Zimbabwe | 2 Comments

Subsistence Digging Is (Not) Looting?

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Nicholas Merkelson

I have found that the vast majority of fellow students in my master’s course tend to hold a defeatist attitude towards the illicit looting of cultural property—that is, it is inherently negative and harmful; it is “bad.” In cultural heritage … Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, Belize, indigenous culture, looting, subsistence digging | Leave a comment

The Ethnosphere and Our Common Culture

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Nicholas Merkelson

What does it mean to be human and alive? This is the fundamental question posed by renowned Canadian anthropologist Wade Davis in his January 13, 2010, SALT lecture, “The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World.” There are some … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, ethnosphere, humankind, indigenous culture, SALT, Wade Davis | Leave a comment

65,000-year-old Indigenous Tribe Loses Last Member

Posted on February 6, 2010 by Nicholas Merkelson

Last week, several major news sources reported on the passing of Boa Sr, the only surviving member of the Bo tribe of the Andaman islands and the last speaker of the group’s native language. To be sure, the loss of human … Continue reading →

Posted in Andaman Islands, Bo, Boa Sr, culture, heritage, humankind, indigenous culture | Leave a comment