Graham Han*** and his marine archaeology in India

On Sep 10, 11:45 am, "Digger" <p.du...@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
"David" <pchristain...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

news:1189432751.438415.210080@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Specifically, it seems that your knowledge is deficient because you
do not show that you ever read -

Han***, Graham.
Underworld : the mysterious origins of civilization / photographs by
Santha Faiia.
New York : Crown Publishers, c2002.

David,

One major point you seem not to appreciate is that very few people with a
professional invovlement in archaeology would even bother to read much of
what Han*** writes. He has so tarnished his own reputation over the years
that even if he did come up with something worthwile, it would take an awful
lot of persuasion for "the establishment" to take him seriously.

When I first started out in archaeology I hoped that Han*** might have had
something valid to say but ended up finding myself disappointed with his
lack of academic rigour, his repeated attacks on the "establishment" and his
selective use of "evidence", (then again, I suspect somebody like Han***
would say I've now "sold out" to the establishment, so I *would* say that
wouldn't I?).

In the long run I think Han*** is a tremendous disappointment. He writes
reasonably well for the popular audience and he comes across well on TV. If
only he could apply that to sticking to the facts and presenting things that
can always stand up to scrutiny.

I am aware of Graham Han***'s shortcomings. His errors are already
pointed out on sci.arch years ago. He did not have formal training in
archaeology.

However, for the specifc purposes of this thread, which is about
speculation
and archaeology - all bets are off because Han*** is very good with
speculation.

First, professional archaeologists rarely bother to read Han***, as
you say.
In the case of the 2002 book "Underworld..." this is a MAJOR error on
their part.
For one thing, in the book Han*** shows a good knowledge of basic
archaeology IMHO.
Also, he raised funds for his marine archaeology off the coast of
India and got the necessary
permission from the Indian government to be part of the archaeological
team that did the dives etc.

Let's get specific with Han***'s speculation here -

He says 8,000 - 10,000 years BC Indian sacred scripture records a
terrible oceanic flood that forced Yogic sages to seek refuge in the
Himalayas.
Some of these people founded Mehrgarh.

Just before, glaciers in the Himalayas started melting rapidly,
sending
massive meltwater into rivers, flooding the Indian coastline.

As speculation, I see nothing yet in the archaeological facts that
refute or
contradict it.

.

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