Bioarchaeological Evidence for Prehistoric Violence: Use and Misuse in the Popular Media

Abstract

Bioarchaeologists studying violence have demonstrated that fractures and weaponry can inform about past social, political, and economic structures. Violence therefore has assumed increased visibility in academic venues during recent years. In addition, this “dark side” of humankind has always fascinated the public. As we move into the twenty-first-century digital world, it becomes increasingly important that our research results are accurately and effectively communicated to various audiences, which include our colleagues as well as large and diverse nonspecialist communities. In this chapter, we explore ways in which violence has been used to reinforce stereotypic and prejudged images of past peoples, and we discuss several case studies that demonstrate the importance of clear communication, highlighting missteps as well as providing suggestions for improved dialogue with the public on the topic of violence in the past. We conclude with a discussion of the potential benefits of employing experimental bioarchaeology when “speaking out.”