In 2009, I wrote my third book, Uncovering Archaeology. Although I am not an archaeologist, I have always been interested in the subject and I have been involved in many archaeological projects. Having done those things, I have become critical about some of the things I have observed in the world of archaeology. In some ways, this book may be called a critique on how archaeology has been performed and interpreted not only here in this country, but worldwide as well. In Chapter 1, I discuss the similarity between archaeology and anthropology. I tell about some of my early exposure to things related to both archaeology and anthropology and the early experiences I had concerning both disciplines. In Chapter 2, I decided I had an aptitude for archaeology due to events in my life that led me in that direction. In the 1960s, I worked for the Desert Research Institute while attending UNR studying ancient inhabitants of our region. I had recently discovered many Indian artifacts on the ranch where I lived in Sparks. I decided the discovery of these artifacts would make an interesting story. This story did lead me to write my book, Preserving Traces of the Great Basin Indians. In Chapter 3, I tell about some digs not often talked about or written about in any other book. An old friend of mine I had met at the Department of Transportation told me some stories about things he had done that were very unethical. He is now long gone but I think you will find some of the things he shared with me to be incredibly interesting. Chapter 3 includes some practical jokes by me and others that may have seemed funny at the time but looking back, most of them were crude and senseless. In this chapter, I tell about a major archaeological discovery I made when I was working at the Nevada State Museum in 1999. It was then that I discovered about 900 old coin dies that had been buried at the Carson City Mint. Even then, I felt compelled to play a practical joke on the personnel at the Museum. In Chapter 3, I criticize the way artifacts have been handled by archaeologists in Egypt and the looting of archaeological treasures by the British Museum. Egyptian obelisks have been taken from their place of origin and distributed to other countries including Rome and New York City. In Chapter 4, I discuss the differing interpretations that people and archaeologists especially make about various discoveries that are made around the world. Even news stories are interpreted differently depending on the experience or political leaning of the writer. What is reported by one newscaster is often much different from that of another newscaster. The same is true about reports about archaeological discoveries. In Chapter 5, I tell about a series of trips I have made to Central America exploring the land of the Mayans in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. Unlike some politicians I know, I have actually been to these places and studied the amazing ruins and culture of this region. The Mayans were more advanced than many people give them credit for. While in the region, I made it a point to climb every pyramid in the cities of Tulum, Tikal, Chichen-Itza and Copan. Uncovering Archaeology contains many photos I took while visiting these places. There are more pyramids in Central America than there are in Egypt. I pose the question, can anyone explain how the idea of building pyramids occurred on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean when we have always been told there was no trans Atlantic travel until 1492? Why are there statues of elephants in a ball field in Copan Honduras? This is oceans away from any elephants. In Chapter 6, I go way out on a limb and speculate in a logical way a few thoughts you may or may not agree with. Did Jesus Christ survive being crucified and journey to Central America to resume his ministry as told in the Book of Mormon? Chapter 7 and 8 tell about the 10,000 year old mummified man called the Spirit Cave Man, discovered east of Fallon in 1940. In Chapter 9, I tell about a theory I have about the burning of the contents of Lovelock Cave that would make habitation of the cave much earlier than previously reported. Dennis Cassinelli is a Dayton author and historian. You can order his books at a discount on his blog at denniscassinelli.com.
