Revisiting the Old Ones

Abstract

ABSTRACT These volumes exemplify diverse meanings in the concept of “revisiting the past.” In his archaeological travel memoir, Roberts physically revisits archaeological sites, and also sadly re-evaluates his idea of in-situ preservation. Two edited volumes illustrate other aspects of revisiting the past. In research contexts, revisiting and re-assessing carry a more upbeat message of intellectual progress through continued evaluation of past ideas. Although research can be messy and non-linear, the act of stopping to assess existing knowledge demands continued engagement with old documents, artifacts, and models, while also looking forward to development of new ways to describe and understand the past.